Wikipedia

2003–04 Adelaide United FC season

The 2003–04 season was the first in the history of Adelaide United Football Club since its establishment in 2003. The club participated in the National Soccer League for the first and only time.

Adelaide United
2003–04 season
ChairmanBasil Scarsella
ManagerJohn Kosmina
StadiumHindmarsh Stadium
National Soccer League3rd
National Soccer League FinalsPreliminary final
Top goalscorerLeague: Carl Veart (10)
All: Carl Veart (12)
Highest home attendance15,568
vs. Brisbane Strikers
(17 October 2003)
Lowest home attendance9,159
vs. Northern Spirit
(10 December 2003)
Average home league attendance12,643
Biggest win3–0
vs. Brisbane Strikers
(7 March 2004)
Biggest defeat0–5
vs. Perth Glory
(28 March 2004)
2005–06 →
2004–05 →

Season summary edit

Despite the rush to form the team, and starting five weeks into the season (the first four rounds of matches were squeezed in later in the season), the team lost just twice in its first 13 matches. Hectic catch up phases in November and December (7 matches in 31 days for 4 wins and 3 draws) and February (6 matches in 24 days for 4 wins and 2 losses) passed by with success. Aside from the debut win over Brisbane, regular season highlights included a 2–1 away win over Parramatta Power, a resounding 2–0 home victory against South Melbourne, and a 1–0 win over an in-form Marconi and the effective sealing of third spot.

Despite the high position, many people expected the wheels to fall off in the finals. But the finals phase served up two more fairytale results. Everything came together for the first leg of the Elimination Final, and the 3–0 win over the Brisbane Strikers was the team's first win by more than two goals. The roller coaster ride passed deep into a trough the following week in Brisbane with a 4–1 loss – but United won the Elimination Final over all due to the away goals rule, progressing to the Minor Semi-Final versus South Melbourne. This attracted the club's largest ever crowd, officially 16,558, in a tough win on penalties. The team was then outclassed by the eventual premiers, Perth Glory, 5–0 at Subiaco Oval in the Preliminary Final.

Built up from the core of Adelaide City's 2002–03 squad, the Adelaide United team forged ahead with a burgeoning team spirit that became their signature attribute. The previous season's Adelaide City players Mike Valkanis, Aaron Goulding, Kristian Rees and captain Aurelio Vidmar merged superbly with the return to Adelaide of Alagich (from Brisbane), Aloisi (Italy) and others to form an outfit which performed consistently all season. Coach John Kosmina, also returning after 25 years to his home city, is a clear favourite of the fans.

With the winding-down of the NSL, the team has become a founding member of the A-League.

Players edit

Squad information edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   AUS David Scarsella
2 DF   AUS Richie Alagich
4 DF   AUS Aaron Goulding
5 DF   AUS Michael Valkanis
7 MF   AUS David Terminello
8 FW   AUS Carl Veart
9 FW   NZL Shane Smeltz
10 MF   AUS Aurelio Vidmar
11 MF   AUS Goran Lozanovski
12 MF   AUS Shane Thompson
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF   AUS Sean Widera
15 MF   AUS Aaron Westervelt
16 FW   AUS Michael Brooks
17 FW   AUS Mimi Saric
18 MF   AUS Fred Agius
19 FW   AUS Elias Demourtzidis
21 MF   AUS Adriano Pellegrino
22 GK   AUS Nick Crossley
23 MF   AUS Nick Budin
24 MF   AUS Matthew Kemp

Transfers edit

Transfers in edit

No. Position Player Transferred from Type/fee Contract length Date Ref
2 DF Richie Alagich Brisbane Strikers Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
6 MF Ross Aloisi   Pro Sesto Free transfer 5 years July 2003 [1]
20 GK Robert Bajic   Rochedale Rovers Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
16 FW Michael Brooks   Para Hills Knights Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
23 MF Nick Budin   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
22 GK Nick Crossley   Modbury Jets Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
19 FW Elias Demourtzidis Sydney Olympic Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
4 DF Aaron Goulding   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
24 MF Matthew Kemp   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
11 MF Goran Lozanovski   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
21 MF Adriano Pellegrino   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
3 DF Kristian Rees   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
17 FW Mimi Saric   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
1 GK David Scarsella   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
9 FW   Shane Smeltz   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
13 FW   Félix Tagawa Brisbane Strikers Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
7 MF David Terminello   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
5 DF Michael Valkanis   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
8 FW Carl Veart   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
10 FW Aurelio Vidmar   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
15 MF Aaron Westervelt   Adelaide City Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]
14 MF Sean Widera   Croydon Kings Free transfer 1 year July 2003 [1]

Transfers out edit

No. Position Player Transferred to Type/fee Date Ref
FW   Félix Tagawa   A.S. Dragon Free transfer December 2003 [1]
6 MF Ross Aloisi   Selangor Free transfer March 2004 [1]
20 GK Robert Bajic   Enfield City Free transfer March 2004 [1]
3 DF Kristian Rees   Modbury Jets Free transfer March 2004 [1]

Competitions edit

Overall record edit

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
National Soccer League 17 October 2003 29 February 2004 Matchday 5 3rd 24 11 7 6 28 25 +3 045.83
National Soccer League Finals 7 March 2004 28 March 2004 Qualifying final Preliminary final 4 2 0 2 6 10 −4 050.00
Total 28 13 7 8 34 35 −1 046.43

Source: Competitions

National Soccer League edit

Main article: 2003–04 National Soccer League

League table edit

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Perth Glory (C) 24 18 3 3 56 22 +34 57 Qualification to Finals series
2 Parramatta Power 24 16 3 5 58 30 +28 51
3 Adelaide United 24 11 7 6 28 25 +3 40
4 Marconi Stallions 24 10 8 6 29 25 +4 38
5 South Melbourne 24 11 4 9 39 21 +18 37
Source: ozfootball.net
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored;
(C) Champions
Matchday1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
GroundAHABHAHAHAHAHHAHBAHAHAHAHA
ResultDLW✖WWDDLLDWWDWW✖LDDWLWWWL
Position69897454787665544555554433
Source: WorldFootball.net
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss;   = Bye

Matches edit

17 October 2003 5 Adelaide United 1–0 Brisbane Strikers Adelaide
21:30 ACST
  • Veart   38'
 Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 15,568
Referee: Craig Zetter
24 October 2003 6 Newcastle United 2–3 Adelaide United Newcastle
19:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: EnergyAustralia Stadium
Attendance: 3,005
Referee: Con Diomis
2 November 2003 7 Adelaide United 0–0 Sydney United Adelaide
16:30 ACST Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 14,413
Referee: Angelo Nardi
8 November 2003 8 Marconi Stallions 0–0 Adelaide United Sydney
19:30 AEST Report Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 1,820
Referee: Craig Zetter
16 November 2003 9 Adelaide United 1–4 Perth Glory Adelaide
19:30 ACST
Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,096
Referee: Matthew Breeze
22 November 2003 10 South Melbourne 2–1 Adelaide United Melbourne
19:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: Bob Jane Stadium
Attendance: 8,359
Referee: Simon Micallef
28 November 2003 11 Adelaide United 2–2 Wollongong Wolves Adelaide
20:00 ACST
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 9,528
Referee: Perry Mur
30 November 2003 1 Sydney Olympic 0–0 Adelaide United Sydney
18:00 AEST Stadium: Jubilee Oval
Attendance: 2,370
Referee: James Lewis
6 December 2003 12 Football Kingz 1–3 Adelaide United Auckland
18:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Ericsson Stadium
Attendance: 1,121
Referee: Peter Green
10 December 2003 13 Adelaide United 1–0 Northern Spirit Adelaide
19:30 ACST
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 9,159
Referee: Craig Zetter
14 December 2003 14 Adelaide United 1–1 Sydney Olympic Adelaide
19:30 ACST
Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 11,153
Referee: Eddie Lennie
20 December 2003 15 Parramatta Power 1–2 Adelaide United Parramatta
18:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: Parramatta Stadium
Attendance: 1,967
Referee: Angelo Nardi
28 December 2003 16 Adelaide United 2–1 Melbourne Knights Adelaide
18:20 ACST
  • Veart   15'
  • Terminello   31'
 Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,032
Referee: Simon Micallef
7 January 2004 18 Brisbane Strikers 1–0 Adelaide United Brisbane
20:30 AEST
Report Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 3,298
Referee: Perry Mur
11 January 2004 19 Adelaide United 0–0 Newcastle United Adelaide
17:00 ACST Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 14,280
Referee: Peter Green
18 January 2004 20 Sydney United 1–1 Adelaide United Sydney
18:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,065
Referee: Matthew Breeze
23 January 2004 25 Adelaide United 1–0 Football Kingz Adelaide
20:00 ACST
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,212
Referee: Mark Shield
31 January 2004 22 Perth Glory 2–0 Adelaide United Perth
19:00 AWST
Stadium: Members Equity Stadium
Attendance: 9,711
Referee: Angelo Nardi
6 February 2004 23 Adelaide United 2–0 South Melbourne Adelaide
20:00 ACST
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 12,463
Referee: Eddie Lennie
8 February 2004 3 Melbourne Knights 3–4 Adelaide United Melbourne
18:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: Knights Stadium
Attendance: 1,164
Referee: James Lewis
13 February 2004 24 Wollongong Wolves 0–1 Adelaide United Wollongong
19:35 AEST
Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 3,010
Referee: Peter Green
20 February 2004 21 Adelaide United 1–0 Marconi Stallions Adelaide
20:00 ACST
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,690
Referee: Simon Micallef
25 February 2004 2 Adelaide United 0–2 Parramatta Power Adelaide
20:00 ACST Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 12,125
Referee: Perry Mur
29 February 2004 26 Northern Spirit 2–1 Adelaide United Sydney
17:00 AEST
Stadium: Pittwater Park
Attendance: 2,009
Referee: Matthew Breeze

N.S.L. Finals Series edit

7 March 2004 Qualifying Final (1st Leg) Adelaide United 3–0 Brisbane Strikers Adelaide
07:30 ACST
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 16,258
Referee: Ben Williams
13 March 2004 Qualifying Final (2nd Leg) Brisbane Strikers 4–1 Adelaide United Brisbane
09:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 2,790
Referee: Matthew Breeze
20 March 2004 Semi-Final Adelaide United 2–1 (a.e.t.) South Melbourne Adelaide
09:30 ACST
Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 16,558
Referee: Simon Micallef
28 March 2004 Preliminary-Final Perth Glory 5–0 Adelaide United Perth
06:45 AWST
Report Stadium: Subiaco Oval
Attendance: 17,524
Referee: Eddie Lennie

Squad statistics edit

Appearances and goals edit

No. Pos. Name National Soccer League National Soccer League Finals Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK   David Scarsella 20 0 4 0 24 0
2 DF   Richie Alagich 24 2 4 1 28 3
4 DF   Aaron Goulding 24 0 4 0 28 0
5 DF   Michael Valkanis 20+1 1 4 0 25 1
7 MF   David Terminello 8+8 1 3 0 19 1
8 MF   Carl Veart 23 10 4 2 27 12
9 FW   Shane Smeltz 4+3 1 0 0 7 1
10 MF   Aurelio Vidmar 23 2 4 0 27 2
11 MF   Goran Lozanovski 12+2 0 0 0 14 0
12 MF   Shane Thompson 7+4 1 1+1 0 13 1
15 MF   Aaron Westervelt 11+7 0 0+3 0 23 0
16 FW   Michael Brooks 0+5 2 0+3 1 8 3
17 FW   Mimi Saric 5+9 2 0 0 14 2
18 MF   Fred Agius 6+3 0 3+1 1 13 1
19 FW   Elias Demourtzidis 5+6 0 0+1 0 12 0
21 MF   Adriano Pellegrino 7+10 1 0 0 17 1
23 MF   Nick Budin 8+7 1 4 0 19 1
24 MF   Matthew Kemp 8 1 2+1 0 11 1
Players sold but featured this season
3 DF   Kristian Rees 23 0 3 0 26 0
6 MF   Ross Aloisi 22 3 4 1 26 4
20 GK   Robert Bajic 4 0 0 0 4 0
— FW   Félix Tagawa 0 0 0 0 0 0

Disciplinary record edit

Rank Position Name National Soccer League National Soccer League Finals Total
           
1 FW   Aurelio Vidmar 2 1 0 0 2 1
2 FW   Elias Demourtzidis 0 0 0 1 0 1
3 MF   Ross Aloisi 6 0 1 0 7 0
4 MF   Carl Veart 5 0 1 0 6 0
5 MF   Nick Budin 4 0 1 0 5 0
6 DF   Michael Valkanis 3 0 1 0 0 0
MF   Aaron Westervelt 4 0 0 0 4 0
8 MF   Goran Lozanovski 3 0 0 0 3 0
MF   Adriano Pellegrino 3 0 0 0 3 0
DF   Kristian Rees 3 0 0 0 3 0
11 MF   Fred Agius 1 0 0 0 1 0
GK   David Scarsella 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF   David Terminello 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF   Shane Thompson 1 0 0 0 1 0

Clean sheets edit

Rank Name National Soccer League National Soccer League Finals Total
1   David Scarsella 9 1 10
2   Robert Bajic 1 0 1
Total 10 1 11

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Adelaide United - Transfers 2003/2004". WorldFootball.net.

External links edit

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