Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has called for striker Dario Vidosic to be recalled to the national team.
Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has called for striker Dario Vidosic to be recalled to the national team after a sparkling performance in his side’s inspiring 2-0 away victory over Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Vidosic was decisive in the Hyundai A-League season-opener, scoring a goal in the first minute of the match and providing a sublime cross for Iain Ramsey to seal the victory 15 minutes from time.
In between those highlights Vidosic was a constant headache for the Jets defence and it was his run that eventuated in Newcastle goal-keeper Mark Birighitti being sent from the field for handling the ball after he tried to smother a Vidosic lob shot outside of the penalty box.
“Dario was outstanding,” Kosmina said after the match.
“We changed his role a bit today and he took it on. It really helped him that he scored early but what a great ball in from Jeronimo and a great run from Dario.
“I think Dario has got a point to prove because I think he should be playing for Australia. One hundred percent he is good enough to play for Australia.
“Now he has to look at being consistent over the course of the season. And if he gets that chance again I don’t think he will throw it away.”
The Reds came into the match as underdogs enduring a gruelling week which included a mid-week Champions League match against FC Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan which went into extra time and a tiring 33-hour return trip just to play against Newcastle.
However Adelaide showed they were in top condition physically and Kosmina said the competitive nature of his side’s recent Champions League matches worked in their favour.
“As much as it is a fatigue factor for today’s game the fact that we have played two really competitive matches under difficult circumstances has helped us a hell of a lot,” the Reds coach said.
“We have a really good squad. We are in good nick physically and Sean Taggart, our conditioning coach, has done a great job getting these guys up to speed for the start of the Champions League.
“It has been a long week, a real long week. And there were moments during the game that showed we were a little bit fatigued.
“But for the guys to get through 120 minutes on Wednesday night, for most of them and then to get through all the travel they had – because we have had two nights sleeping on a plane. Last night was the first night in a bed since Wednesday.
“We defended when we needed to and showed a lot of desperation when we needed to and there were times when we showed some really nice stuff particularly at the end.
“So it has been a fantastic effort – real good effort.
Kosmina was particularly impressed with his centre back pairing of Nigel Boogaard and Antony Golec who did well keeping Newcastle’s marquee signing Emile Heskey fairly quiet throughout the match.
“Newcastle played well today and they caused us some problems but the thing that really pleased me today is that we threw two new central defenders together,” Kosmina said.
“I don’t think Boogie (Boogaard) and Antony Golec have played together before and they did really well.
“I think Golec did a real good job on Heskey and Boogie competed really well as well physically and didn’t give him too much room in the air.”
Kosmina said it would be very interesting to see how his team recovered after the hectic week before lining up for round two when they host The Wanderers on Friday night.
“It is probably best that we have a game close,” he said.
“We will be right physically because the condition the boys are in. The interesting thing will be the mental aspect of it.
“We have been gone eight days and we have travelled a fair distance but we will see what we can do.”
