Marco Kurz praises goal-shy Jets after Adelaide’s gutsy win
Marco Kurz was quick to underline the importance of Adelaide United’s gutsy 2-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday night after hailing the Jets side as one of the best attacking sides in the Hyundai A-League.
The Reds survived an onslaught of pressure in a frenetic second half and sealed a smash and grab victory through Craig Goodwin’s 90th-minute penalty.
That made the three points gained in the Hunter Valley – traditionally a tough venue for Adelaide – all the more precious for Kurz’s men.
“It's always hard to play in Newcastle and also against Newcastle because the offensive style from them is very good - maybe the best in the league,” the Adelaide boss said.
“Also, our break was not too big, we played four days ago, we travelled to Newcastle [and] also the temperature in the last game and today as well was very hard for the boys.
“But we are very happy we got the win and I'm very proud for the performance and also for the three points.”
Adelaide will enter the New Year in the top six thanks to the result, and after three matches without a win Kurz is content with the fight his charges have displayed in a highly competitive Hyundai A-League field.
“I think [the way] we played this season is ok. After nine rounds we had 12 points, last season we had 11, now we have 15,” he said.
“We are on the right track, but you have to perform every week. Everyone can read the ladder, it’s very close and you can win and lose against each team in the league.”
SUNDAY: Goodwin dispatches last-ditch penalty as Adelaide punish Jets
SATURDAY: Le Fondre double lifts Sydney FC over resurgent Roar
FRIDAY: Toivonen to the rescue as Victory, Phoenix play out thrilling draw
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
Familiar failings haunt Ernie Merrick
Newcastle tallied 27 shots on Sunday night, the most any Hyundai A-League team has accrued in a single match this season.
But once again, the Jets were betrayed by their lack of conviction in front of goal.
The Scotsman said it is an issue his side must address urgently in order to salvage their campaign.
“As I walked down the corridor I'm thinking, ‘am I going to say it all again?’ All these shots and we lose the game,” he said.
“We had something like 47 entries into their penalty box to their 18.
“The shots were 27 to 13, we really need to put those shots away or else we're just shooting ourselves in the foot, were not going to create much this year at all, and that comes down to individual play.
“Our boys are devastated. Once again some of the players from the other team have said ‘it was a tough game, you controlled that game, we've very happy to get the win’.
“But we can only sort it ourselves.”
READ: ‘The result kills you’: Newcastle stumble again but O’Donovan offers cure
