James Troisi is reaping the rewards from joining his hometown club Adelaide United after yet another brilliant display against Brisbane Roar on Sunday afternoon.
In only his second Hyundai A-League start for the Reds since making the move to Adelaide from Melbourne Victory in the off-season, Troisi showed he’s now firing on all cylinders after his man-of-the-match display at Coopers Stadium.
“I haven’t been home for a long time, it’s fantastic to be back,” Troisi told FOX Sports after Adelaide’s 1-0 win.
“There (were) a few other options in the A-League and some stuff overseas.
“With my family situation it makes it a little bit more difficult to go overseas especially certain countries that were on offer.
“I’m extremely happy, and I’m happy to be back.”
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Troisi didn’t feature at all for Gertjan Verbeek’s side in the first two rounds of the Hyundai A-League this season, but has played from the start in their last two games.
His impact has been instantaneous as he’s sparked up an almost telepathic relationship with Reds teammate Riley McGree.
It was McGree who benefitted from Troisi’s brilliant solo run into the box which led to Adelaide’s late winning goal.
“He’s a great player with good quality,” McGree said of Troisi.
“He can find you in spaces you didn’t think possible, it’s very good to have him and the boys are still learning to (play) with him.”
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Troisi’s impact against the Roar grew as the game progressed, after a tactical change from Verbeek sent him deeper into the midfield.
From there his game began to flourish as he found the time and space to pull the strings of Adelaide’s attack and eventually create the decisive goal in the game.
It was a triumphant moment for Troisi and his Reds teammates and Troisi’s four-month-old son Izea seemingly couldn’t contain his excitement, bursting into tears as Coopers Stadium exploded into raucous celebration.
🔴 @JamesTroisi vs Brisbane Roar
🎯 73% passing accuracy
🅰️ 1 assist
3️⃣ chances created
💪 6 duels won
🎖️ Tomas Dale Medal recipientAn impressive home debut! 👏#AUFC #ADLvBRI
📸 Ken Carter pic.twitter.com/54l7hrFhgp— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) November 11, 2019
Troisi attempted 57 passes in the Brisbane’s defensive half in the game, the most by a Reds player in the Hyunday A-League since Daniel Adlung and Isaias attempted 73 and 67 respectively at home against the same opposition in 2017.
Troisi has not played under Verbeek’s tutelage for long, but he says the Dutchman has the entire squad working hard and working together with results starting to show.
“He’s a very tough manager, demanding, we work extremely hard,” Troisi said of the Dutchman.
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“It’s good, it’s what we need. Everyone is willing to work hard and they want to learn.
“There was a lot more space (against Brisbane) for me to get on the ball and play some balls in behind.
“I think that’s why the coach wanted me to play in a deeper role. For me it’s good because when you have pace in behind it’s dangerous.
“They sit deep, they have five at the back, we had to be patient and in the end we got what we wanted.”
For his excellent performance in his first start for the Reds at Coopers Stadium Troisi was awarded the Thomas Dale Medal, commemorating Private Dale who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2010.
Awarded to the most sporting player on the ground in the Remembrance Round clash, the medal capped off Troisi’s Adelaide homecoming in some style.
Adelaide’s 1-0 win sends them back into the top six ahead of a trip Central Coast next weekend.
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Honoured to host the family of Private Tomas Dale, who passed away in Afghanistan in 2010.
The Tomas Dale medal is awarded to the player who conducts himself in the most sporting manner during the game.
@ALeague @AdelaideUnited #ADLvBRI #MoreThanAGame #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/hM0ZQ2mTvv
— Bruce Djité (@BDjite) November 11, 2019
