Karlović praises Reds’ execution in break through win
Adelaide United coach Ivan Karlović has applauded his side’s application after breaking through for their first win of the Westfield W-League season.
The Lady Reds stunned competition high-flyers Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 on Saturday evening to put paid to their eight match winless run this season.
Chelsie Dawber’s opener and a double from Mallory Weber set Karlovic’s side on course for the upset result, but late goals from Sam Staab and an own goal from Lais Araujo made it a nervy finish at the Marden Sports Complex.
Karlovic told www.adelaideunited.com.au that his side’s ability to implement their game plan was key to defeating the second-placed Wanderers and move off the foot of the Westfield W-League table.
“We spoke about how we were going to come out and play. We said to the girls that we’ll set you up in a manner that we feel will give you the best joy in a game against a side like this,” Karlović said.
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“It’s about you guys going out there and executing but with an intensity and hunger to get a result.
“I thought from the very first second all the way to the end they were really good.
“We’ve been like that for a number of games this year and we haven’t come out with the three points, but I’m just glad for them that they got what they deserved out of the game finally.”
Key to the win was a tactical shake-up pre-game that saw Brazilian attacking midfielder surprisingly deployed as a third centre back.
“It’s probably a position she [Lais Araujo] doesn’t play regularly but she has filled in at the back previously,” Karlović explained.
“She’s got the attributes to be able to do that and we felt what we were looking to trying achieve out of the game tonight, that change was an important one and I think it worked.”
The Lady Reds are out of contention for the Westfield W-League Finals Series, but Karlović said his side still have plenty to achieve in the closing rounds of the campaign.
“We’ve sort of set ourselves a target over the last few weeks is to really make sure we get the most out of all the games,” he continued.
“We got a good result tonight and now we move over to Newcastle next week away and we’ll look to hopefully get a good result over there and finish off the season in a good fashion.
“And like I said we can’t play finals football but we can finish off the season well in the manner that we’ve played all year and hopefully take our opportunities.”
SUNDAY PREVIEW: Melbourne Victory v Canberra United
Round 12
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday, 15 February 2020
Cromer Park
Kick-off: 4pm AEDT
Canberra United v Adelaide United
Sunday, 6 February 2020
McKellar Park
Kick-off: 4pm AEDT
