Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has dispelled rumours striker Sergio van Dijk is ready to leave the club and return home to his adopted Indonesia.
Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has dispelled rumours striker Sergio van Dijk is ready to leave the club and return home to his adopted Indonesia.
Last Thursday the Reds issued a statement that they had approved a request from Van Dijk to spend time in Indonesia until the following Monday to address some personal family matters.
Van Dijk’s request came just hours after being left on the bench and making a late appearance in United’s 2-2 draw with FC Bunyodkor in the AFC Champions League quarter-final first leg clash at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The Dutch forward’s decision to depart Adelaide on compassionate leave added to lingering speculation which first gained momentum earlier this year, that the 30-year-old was ready to call time on his five-year association with Australian football.
Speaking on Wednesday, Kosmina quashed such a suggestion with one brief statement.
“Serge isn’t going anywhere … he only went (to Indonesia) to see his mum and dad, and he was quite happy to do that,” Kosmina said.
However, Reds marquee midfielder Dario Vidosic wasn’t so reassuring of his team-mate’s future.
“We hope he stays … I’m not too sure what exactly is going on but I think he’s enjoying his time here,” Vidosic said.
“It’s always frustrating as a footballer when you’re not in the team but he’s working really hard and today he gave it everything.
“We know he is a quality player and that when he is on (the pitch) he is always creating problems.
“It’s a very long season, injuries do happen and sometimes you have to switch the shape up … but he’s a very important player and we hope he does stay.”
Despite Kosmina’s comments, doubts over the 2010-11 A-League Golden Boot winner’s future came to a head when former Gold Coast and Adelaide-born hitman Joel Porter was seen training with the Reds on Wednesday.
While Porter’s appearance raised a few eyebrows, Kosmina downplayed the situation.
The 56-year-old made a point to say Porter, who is without a club since Gold Coast folded last season, was only a train-on guest at Hindmarsh and that the ex-Hartlepool United attacker’s presence was not related to the speculation surrounding van Dijk.
“Joel is not here to trial … it’s to help him out. I’ve known Joel for years,” Kosmina said.
“I actually tried to sign him in the first season of the A-League when he was playing at Hartlepool but we couldn’t come to terms on it.
“They (Porter and van Dijk) are similar types of players – both left footers – but Joel’s had a few calf niggles over the last two years that he hasn’t been able to get on top of.
“We’ve got a full roster so I’m just trying to help out a South Australian come back home that has probably still got a year or two left in him … whether it be at this level or the next one down remains to be seen.
“Joel’s full condition, certainly to get back to an A-League level, is still quite a few months away.
“But he’s a quality player and a good bloke, and I want to help him.”
Adelaide take on the reigning Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor in the return leg of their ACL quarter-final tie next Wednesday in Tashkent.
