Adelaide United’s dual Hyundai A-League keeper of the year and club player of the year Eugene Galekovic is quite proud his team-mates are scoring more freely and keeping the ball down the other end of the field in the AFC Champions League.
“Yeah it’s good to be scoring a few goals now,” he said.
“We’ve got the talent up front to do that and it’s not (Sergio) van Dijk scoring the goals either, it’s the midfielders coming in and even Corny (Robert Cornthwaite) so it’s good to take the pressure off the defence for once.”
“I think it’s the only time we’ve scored three goals in the last A-League season.”
In fact, the last time United managed three goals was back in August 2009 at the start of the Hyundai A-League season when it surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with North Queensland Fury at Hindmarsh Stadium in Round 4.
The Reds last put away three goals in the ACL in October 2008 when they thrashed Bunyodkor 3-0 in the semi-final, also at Hindmarsh.
The keeper is relieved he’s seeing less of the action despite a few anxious moments against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on match day three of the ACL.
“It was one of those games, all we wanted was a win,” he said.
“We got that but we could have made it a lot easier with them having a man down. But we made it difficult for ourselves, but in the end three points is all that matters.”
Prior to the 3-2 win, Galekovic had only conceded one goal in the last four games and it came on the last day of the season in a 2-1 away win to Newcastle. The last home game of the domestic season United was convincing in a 2-0 victory over Brisbane Roar where Galekovic also stood out.
United’s No.1 has recorded some amazing stats in his last two seasons with United, amassing 19 shut-outs in two domestic campaigns as well as six more in the 2008 ACL tournament.
This current ACL group phase has also been kind to Galekovic with the two goals United conceded on Wednesday night the first of this tournament.
“Yeah we’ve kept a few clean sheets, it happens,” he said.
“It was always going to happen (concede) but it’s good when it happens and we’re winning the games. It’s the least of my worries, as long as we get the three points.”
The burly keeper praised his team-mates and their performances, noting the Reds are playing some quality football, creating chances and finding the back of the net.
“It takes the pressure off the whole team (scoring),” he said.
“The shape is sensational. We defend well and when we have the ball we’re creating chances and scoring goals. It takes a lot of pressure away especially scoring the first goal.”
“We know if we score the second (goal) it’s going to be very hard to beat us because it’s very hard for teams to score against us. The strikers are doing their job, the defence is doing their job and we’re looking very comfortable at the minute.”
Galekovic admitted that the recent run of good results has boosted the squad’s confidence and morale, but emphasised the belief was always there.
“Little things have changed. The last two games of the A-League we started winning,” he said.
“We signed two new boys, a striker and a creative midfielder and it just brings a bit of optimism to the team. When you start winning games you get a bit of confidence. The boys know it’s a different story with the ACL and we’re getting our confidence back and we’re looking good.”
