The contrasting fortunes of Adelaide United’s Brazilian recruits was on full display during the Reds’ 3-0 victory against Wellington Phoenix.
The contrasting fortunes of Adelaide United’s Brazilian recruits was on full display during the Reds’ 3-0 victory against Wellington Phoenix.
It’s been all good news for Cristiano this week with the 27-year-old selected in United’s Asian Champions League squad and then on Saturday he bobbed up to kick his first two goals with the club.
Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar said he was pleased with his striker’s efforts, particularly after the break.
“He was a bit slow in the first half and I think he really needed that goal to get the monkey off his back. As soon as he got his goal his confidence really lifted,” Vidmar said.
“He probably could’ve got himself a hat-trick at the end, he just screwed that ball past the keeper.”
Vidmar is optimistic Cristiano can continue his good form, providing he receives more support from his team-mates.
“He certainly can play up there on his own but when we do play that way we are relying on the other players wide of him to actually come in and give him a hand,” he said.
“It’s just about getting cohesion which ever way you play.”
Alemao’s past week hasn’t been as positive. The 26-year-old, who is having to work hard to settle into Adelaide and his defensive post, was the only overseas player at the club to miss out on ACL selection. And then on Saturday he strained a groin muscle when he crossed the ball early in the contest.
It’s unknown if he’ll miss any games with the injury.
“He didn’t mention it until five minutes before half time so we didn’t take the risk and took him off,” Vidmar said.
While it’s an interesting comparison, Vidmar was more pleased with team’s overall performance.
The Reds’ other striker Paul Agostino showed some positive signs in his 75 minutes on the park, Jonas Salley and Paul Reid were solid in the midfield while the defence, led by Eugene Galekovic, finished with its second clean sheet of the season.
Vidmar said Galekovic ‘hasn’t missed a beat’ since joining the club last season.
“He always gives you a seven out of 10, there’s no fluctuations, there’s no two out of 10s or 10 out of 10s it’s always a good seven,” he said.
Meanwhile, captain Travis Dodd was happy with the team’s ability to control possession but would’ve liked to have seen more goals scored.
“It would been good to put them to the sword and put five or six past them but unfortunately it didn’t go like and 3-0 is still a good result,” he said.
