Bagging A Set Of Antlers

Well what a night for Adelaide and Australian Football as a whole. Adelaide United turned in an excellent performance to send Kashima out of the AFC Champions League and put themselves through to the final four.

Aurelio Vidmar will be feeling justified for his strategy of resting a majority of his players in last week’s A-League game against Sydney. He has taken some criticism from that move but last night showed he was 100% correct to do so.

I must say I was extremely surprised by the Adelaide United tactics last night. I was fully expecting them to sit back and absorb the Kashima pressure and try for a goal on counter. But Vidmar should be congratulated for the attacking display that Adelaide put on. In front of a full house Adelaide played some of the best football we have seen from them in two years.

Some of the performances from the Adelaide players were heads and tails above anything we have seen from them in the A-league. Cassio was a fantastic running down the left wing last night, tracking back quickly in defence and deadly in attack. Dodd really should have had an early goal from a Cassio cross but missed the ball completely.

Speaking of Dodd, a move to Japan might be the best thing ever for him. The less physical Japanese suit him to a tee and his ability to force the ball through and then run on using his strength and speed was there to see last night, he must have beaten his defender at least half a dozen times last night.

Eugene Galekovic was splendid in goals last night, doing everything right. His positioning was spot on and the two reflex saves that he made in the first half ensured the pressure stayed on the Antlers.

But the player that stood out was one that hasn’t had a lot of media attention this year. Scott Jamieson was simply outstanding last night, this 19 year old showed signs we may have finally identified a left full back who could eventually step into the Scott Chipperfield shoes. He has a long way to go but he showed signs last night of what a great player he could become.

In is true the final 15 mins were extremely shaky by the reds but you could see that several players were just about out on their feet and they should be forgiven as they had taken it to Kashima and had put everything into the first 75min.

And the reward for Adelaide is a semi-final place, up against the Zico coached FC Bunyodkor. The legendary Brazilian will take over the coaching duties at Bunyodkor as current manager Mirdjalal Kasimov is about to become the manager of the Uzbekistan national team. Bunyodkor will be a tough nut to crack as they have several national players and Brazilian great Rivaldo.

I am sure Adelaide will get another sell out crowd on 08 October when the Uzbekistan team come to team, lets hope the reds can repeat the performance they put on last night.

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