Adelaide United vice-captain Eugene Galekovic is set to play his 100th game between the posts for the Reds when they take on Gold Coast United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
Adelaide United vice-captain Eugene Galekovic is set to play his 100th game between the posts for the Reds when they take on Gold Coast United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.
One of the Hyundai A-League’s premier goalkeepers, Galekovic had the honour of being named one of two vice-captains alongside fellow club stalwart Cassio earlier this season in August.
The 30-year-old added the accomplishment to his already stellar list of achievements which includes back-to-back Hyundai A-League Goalkeeper of the Year and Adelaide United Club Champion awards in 2009 and 2010 and being selected in the Qantas Socceroos squad for the 2010 World Cup.
Since joining from Melbourne Victory in 2007 where he played just 14 games, Galekovic is Adelaide’s longest serving player of the current crop of Reds.
Speaking ahead of his milestone appearance on Tuesday Galekovic acknowledge his centurion effort and hoped he could continue his ever-consistent form as he enters his prime years as a goalkeeper.
“Getting to 100 games is always an achievement and it’s good to be playing it this week against the Gold Coast … where we are going to need the three points,” Galekovic said.
“I’m at that age (30) where I’m probably at my peak in the next couple of years, so hopefully my form continues and helps the club out.”
Despite interest from overseas clubs in the past and having made a considerable impression in his four appearances for the national side, the former Victory gloveman is happy to remain in Adelaide and not pursue opportunities abroad.
“It’s (playing overseas) always there if it does come up but I’ve got a couple of more years in Adelaide,” Galekovic said.
“I love Adelaide and I’m happy to stay, so I’m not really pushing the case or looking to go.”
In what’s been a tough season so far for Adelaide, Galekovic has remained at his best despite conceding more goals then he ever has for the club at this point in a season.
Having been exposed more times then he would have wished this season, Galekovic admitted the high turnover of players, particular in defence caused by Adelaide’s injury woes had played a part.
However the Reds custodian said that everyone at the club was remaining supportive of one another regardless of who was playing in a bid to turn results around.
“I have (been exposed) because of the high turnover of players in team … the defence keeps changing every week through injuries and suspension,” Galekovic said.
“But hopefully that settles down and we start playing better and getting used to each other a little bit.”
“If you look at the squad individually on paper we are very good players, it’s just as a team we are not playing as we should.”
“We are staying united though and backing everyone, every single player, the coaching staff, the club … we want to move forward, get some results and start playing some better football.”
Galekovic echoing his coach Rini Coolen said the Reds’ injury curse could not be used as an excuse for the team’s inability to gel, pointing to their extended pre-season, as they continue to search for answers to their fragmented team performances.
“Obviously there have been a lot of new players and it’s been tougher to get that camaraderie straight away, but we don-t like making excuses for performance,” Galekovic said.
“We had a five month pre-season and are now 10 weeks into the season, so we can’t use it as an excuse because we have had a lot of time together.”
“There are a lot of questions and answers we are still trying to get, but we just got to get that comrade there as quick as we can.”
“It’s a shame but we still have time and a long way to go to get there.”
