Early goals a worry for Adelaide coach after draw against Melbourne Victory

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz has lamented his side’s inability to kill off Melbourne Victory in their bruising 2-2 A-League draw at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.

The Reds were forced to come from behind after Besart Berisha’s 12th minute opener and found themselves 2-1 up just after the hour courtesy of two stunning strikes from midfielder Vince Lia.
Kurz said the Reds though, failed to carve out any real clear chances after gaining the ascendancy and effectively needed a third goal to see out the match.
“After the second goal we missed [some] calm in our game,” Kurz said.
“The ball was going from the end to the [other] end and it’s a very close game. We didn’t have clear opportunities to score a third goal.”
Kurz felt a share of the points was a fair result for both sides but will be looking to address United’s slow starts after copping another early goal.
In United’s opening match against Wellington, the Reds conceded inside five minutes and last week they were breached after 10 minutes against Brisbane Roar.
“It’s not good to concede every game an early goal,” he said.
“But our mentality is create and we can score. For me I like more to score the first goal, not the opponent.”
The German reserved special praise for Lia after the veteran midfielder starred with a brace for the home side.
After almost 300 A-League appearances, the 32 year-old took his career goals tally from four to six.
Lia equalised on 23 minutes with a powerful left-footed volley from just inside the area before a stunning first-time, right-foot drive from the top of the box on 62 minutes.
“It’s a good headline for a journalist tomorrow – with the left and the right foot,” Kurz said. “Vince is for us a very important, experienced player.”
For Victory, despite registering just one point from its opening three fixtures, coach Kevin Muscat remains confident his side will turn around its poor start.
“If you looked at our group, there was a genuine desire to go and get the winner away from home, here in Adelaide,” he said.
“For me, that gives me a great deal of confidence that the players have got an unbelievable belief.
“If anything, I’m disappointed for the group because that performance will normally return you three points.”
Victory started the better of the two sides as the Reds continued their trend of tame openings. Berisha broke the deadlock on 13 minutes with a powerful header after a pinpoint cross from a Leroy George free-kick.

Tensions escalated seven minutes later when Rhys Williams tangled with Ben Garuccio behind play before wrestling Reds skipper Isaias to the ground.
The stopper somehow escaped sanction from referee Shaun Evans, despite the incident attracting the attention of the video assistant referee, but the tussle sparked United into action.
Foundation Victory midfielder Lia restored parity on 23 minutes with a venomous half-volley from the edge of the area when Johan Absalonsen laid off after a cross from Michael Marrone.
After the equaliser, United gained control and carved out some half chances before George Blackwood almost put Adelaide ahead on the stroke of halftime.
Absalonsen was again involved, setting up Blackwood, but his effort from 12 metres was thwarted by some desperate Melbourne defending.
A minute later, Berisha was lucky to escape with just a yellow card after shoving Jordan Elsey to the ground and making contact with fourth official Daniel Elder.
Early in the second half, neither side was able to create any real chances until Lia doubled his tally.
The midfielder found the net with a first-time strike from 20 metres with Absalonsen again the provider.
Victory lifted after conceding and battled hard to level the scores through substitute Austin.
With his back to goal, Berisha’s shot on the turn was blocked and the rebound fell nicely for the Melbourne winger. He managed to direct his shot through a number of bodies in the penalty area.
United had legitimate claims for a penalty on 90 minutes when Absalonsen’s cross appeared to strike full-back Jason Geria’s arm.



SOURCE : GUARDIAN SPORTS
posted by CAMPUS94