Adelaide United season 2003-04
Encyclopedia
Despite the mad 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
.
Parramatta Power
Parramatta Power were a football team which was based in western Sydney. They played in the National Soccer League from season 1999/2000 until the league folded in 2004. The Power were runners up to Perth Glory in the 2003/04 season of the NSL after Perth made the Grand Final look easy in...
, a resounding 2-0 home victory against South Melbourne
South Melbourne FC
South Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
, 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
Away goals rule
The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in association football and other sports when teams play each other twice, once at each team's home ground. By the away goals rule, the team that has scored more goals "away from home" will win if scores are otherwise equal...
, 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
Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
, 5-0 at Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval , known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia...
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
Aurelio Vidmar
Aurelio Vidmar is an Australian football player and former captain of the Australian national team. He is currently not tied to any A-league club...
merged superbly with the return to Adelaide of Alagich (from Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
), Aloisi (Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
) and others to form an outfit which performed consistently all season. Coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
John Kosmina
John Kosmina
Alexander John Kosmina , known as John Kosmina, is a former Australian football player and manager of Polish Australian ethnicity. He was most recently the manager of Sydney FC...
, also returning after 25 years to his home city, is a clear favourite of the fans.
Squad
- Coach: John KosminaJohn KosminaAlexander John Kosmina , known as John Kosmina, is a former Australian football player and manager of Polish Australian ethnicity. He was most recently the manager of Sydney FC...
With the winding-down of the NSL, the team has become a founding member of the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
.
Home and away season
| Date | Opponent | Result | Crowd | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Oct | Brisbane Strikers | W | 1-0 | 15,877 |
| 24 Oct | @ Newc United | W | 3-2 | 3,005 |
| 02 Nov | Sydney Utd | D | 0-0 | 14,484 |
| 08 Nov | @ Marconi | D | 0-0 | 1,820 |
| 16 Nov | Perth | L | 1-4 | 13,266 |
| 23 Nov | @Sth Melb | L | 1-2 | 8,359 |
| 28 Nov | Wollongong | D | 2-2 | 9,528 |
| 30 Nov | @ Olympic | D | 0-0 | 2,370 |
| 06 Dec | @ Kingz | W | 3-1 | 1,121 |
| 10 Dec | Nthn Spirit | W | 1-0 | 9,159 |
| 14 Dec | Olympic | D | 1-1 | 11,153 |
| 20 Dec | @ Parra Power | W | 2-1 | 1,967 |
| 28 Dec | Melb Knights | W | 2-1 | 13,032 |
| 07 Jan | @ Bris Strikers | L | 0-1 | 3,298 |
| 11 Jan | Newc United | D | 0-0 | 14,280 |
| 18 Jan | @ Sydney United | D | 1-1 | 2,065 |
| 23 Jan | Kingz | W | 1-0 | 12,312 |
| 31 Jan | @ Perth | L | 0-2 | 9,711 |
| 06 Feb | Sth Melb | W | 2-0 | 12,463 |
| 08 Feb | @ Melb Knights | W | 4-3 | 1,164 |
| 13 Feb | @ Wollongong | W | 1-0 | 3,010 |
| 20 Feb | Marconi | W | 1-0 | 13,690 |
| 25 Feb | Parra Power | L | 0-2 | 12,125 |
| 29 Feb | @ Nthn Spirit | L | 1-2 | 2,009 |
| 07 Mar | Bris Strikers | W | 3-0 | 16,258 |
| 13 Mar | @ Bris Strikers | L | 1-4 | 2,790 |
| 20 Mar | Sth Melb | W | 2-1 | 16,558 |
| 27 Mar | @ Perth Glory | L | 0-5 | 17,524 |
| Season | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Ladder Position | Teams | Ave Home Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 28 | 25 | 40 | 3rd | 13 | 12,614 |
| Finals Series | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 16,408 |