Adelaide United smash in five in pre-season friendly

Adelaide United have put goals five past South Australian NPL team Adelaide Blue Eagles in a pre-season friendly at the Marden Sports Complex on Tuesday night.​

In Guillermo Amor’s first game in charge, his Reds had the perfect warm up before their Westfield FFA Cup match against Darwin Olympic next Wednesday night.

On a cold evening at the famous local football ground in Marden, the Reds were out to get their first win of the pre-season. A near-full strength squad, which was complimented by some Youth Team players, were up against a solid Blue Eagles outfit.

New Reds signing, Eli Babalj, was also in attendance but didn’t take part in the match as the forward only arrived in Adelaide that afternoon.

The game started with both teams sitting back, but after 8 minutes Goodwin had the first opportunity thanks to a long-range switch by Isaias, but his shot went wide.

After dominating and controlling majority of the possession, it took Carrusca to break the deadlock at the 28th minute mark. A great run by Elrich ended with Pablo Sanchez popping the ball into the six-yard box, allowing Carrusca to head the ball in.

A second followed shortly after with Djite slotting the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box after a Goodwin cut-back.

Having the lead at the break, allowed the Reds to make a few changes. Malik replaced McGowan and Youth Team player Jordan Pudler slotted in for Isaias. Hall also replaced Galekovic between the sticks.

After the break, both teams had similar possession with the ball, which resulted in no real clear-cut chances.

It took 20 minutes for the Reds to get their third, which was courtesy of Pablo Sanchez, who neatly slotted one past the keeper from close range following a Carrsuca through ball.

Amor made a few more changes allowing some of the Youth Team players to get a run and a taste of first team action. The boys slotted in nicely and continued to up the tempo of the match.

Goodwin continued to dominate on the left wing and when he whipped in another killer cross, it found our Argentine playmaker Carrusca, who doubled his tally to make it 4-0.

Pablo Sanchez finished off the night with his second and the Reds fifth.

Following his first win, new head-coach, Guillermo Amor praised his side’s win and the way they went about their football for the full 90 minutes.

“Of course it was very good that we got the win. We play to win no matter what,” said Amor.

“It was good that we took the game very serious and we had control of the game form the beginning. We played good football, we were playing the best options, we had chances, we scored goals, and overall it was a good game.

“The team is coming from a big change and it’s not easy for the players. Today was a difficult game for them, knowing what’s just happened, but the team reacted very well and did very good.

“The group is very committed to the cause, and it showed, and if they continue what they did tonight, they will do well next week for our FFA Cup clash.”

Speaking about his first game in charge, Amor used his experience as a player to help get through the emotions of being a coach.

“Being in charge, it was something new for me,” said the Barcelona legend.

“Whenever you start something new, you feel things that you’ve never felt before because you’ve never been in those situations before. But it’s something I enjoyed and look forward to getting use too.”