Adelaide United flyer Nikola Mileusnic paid tribute to his team’s fighting spirit as they held off a desperate Perth Glory to win 2-1 and boost their chances of finishing in the top four.
Mileusnic, 24, caught the eye in Saturday night’s win at Coopers.
The three points mean the Reds move into fourth on the ladder, leapfrogging Melbourne Victory who lost to the Jets earlier in the day.
The former NPL star had a hand in Adelaide’s first goal and scored a neat second.
His constant drive out of the middle of the park, along with Jordan O’Doherty’s attacking intent, gave the Reds plenty of impetus early in the game.
And they withstood a late charge by Glory to hang on for a precious three points, with Mileusnic praising the team’s desire to hold onto the points.
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“We knew we’d be under the pump [late in the game].
“We tried to stay compact and that means dropping back, and I think that we did that well,” he told Fox Sports.
“We got the three points so we’re happy with that.”
Reds coach Marco Kurz told Fox Sports that he would like Mileusnic to play in the A-League another season before the winger might entertain thoughts of playing overseas.
For the moment, though, the former Adelaide City and White City NPL player is enjoying the freedom to attack given to him by his German coach.
“The coach wants us to attack the space and free up another player and put him through.
“We tried to exploit [Glory] down the flanks but it was a bit harder with the wind against us, but in the end, we got the three points,” he said.
The Reds next face the Mariners in the Hyundai A-League in two weeks’ time.
