GO YOU REDS! Although it was just a friendly, it was a very exciting friendly.

Adelaide 1 (25' Dodd) - 0 Perth

I was quite surprised at how well our defence was actually played out tonight. Cornthwaite managed to shut down Dadi pretty well, and Marrone and Jamieson on the wings was a perfect move once again.

Dodd's goal was awesome! He waltzed his way past 4 defenders and gently nudged the ball into the back of the net! The only problem was that Cristiano looked a bit lost up front; seemed a bit below par still.

And that brings me to the highlight of the match, which was watching Shin In Sup play yet another superb 90 minutes. There was a scare in the second half when Shin was shinned... :( But it turned out to be okay. Another scare for him when he seemed to injure his left shoulder. Regardless of that, he showed pace, a decent technical skill, stamina - but lacked upper body strength to deal with the heavy hitting Aussie tackles. SIGN HIM UP VIDDIE!

what was going on with the defence there

I also enjoyed the efforts of both Kosta and Monterosso - you can tell with experiance they are going to be players of quality

I am still waiting on my supporter pack from Venutix to arrive, hopefully today (especially as AUFC sent me 2 due to my interest in the club!)

Adelaide United Sign Korean Midfielder Shin In Sup
The Reds have added a fifth foreign player to their squad for this season.
29 Jun 2009 02:31:14


Adelaide United FC has confirmed Shin In Sup as its latest signing, after the South Korean midfielder put pen to paper on a two year deal.

The Reds secured Shin as their fifth foreigner after his impressive two week trial in Adelaide, Coach Aurelio Vidmar with no doubts that the 20 year old will be a valuable asset to United’s squad this season.

“We’re excited about Shin joining the club. He’s a great young kid, he’s got fantastic potential and we saw that in the two weeks that he spent here and in the match against Perth last Friday,” Vidmar said.

“This will be his first time in a professional environment and we believe he has what it takes to play and perform at this level.”

Shin’s speed, poise and technical ability was a highlight of United’s pre-season friendly win against Perth Glory last Friday night, the Korean causing the Glory defence a number of headaches, while he also provided the pass that resulted in Travis Dodd’s solo run and goal.

Born in Seoul, Shin was first introduced to football after moving to England with his family at age 7, before he returned to Korea five years later.

Shin has been playing for Kunkuk University, South Korea’s university league seen as the primary breeding ground for players to move into Korea’s premier league, the K-League.

Shin’s inclusion gives United the maximum quota of five foreign players for the upcoming season, with the Korean joining Brazilian trio Cassio, Alemao and Cristiano plus fellow new Reds signing, English born Ghanaian international Lloyd Owusu.

Shin, who will wear the number 16 shirt for The Reds, departed back to South Korea this morning to obtain a visa in order to allow him to play in the A-League.

Was gonna post this myself, but you beat me to it... :(

Nup, should petition Fresh to cover all AUFC games including friendlys (or should that be firendlies?) - but then we would have to listen to their commentary... slightly better than the average Faux commentary that it is - it is still crap!

Lloyd Owusu tips a season of goals for Adelaide United

RICHARD EARLE
July 01, 2009 12:30am
LLOYD Owusu is relishing the expectation attached to him as Adelaide United's great attacking hope and wants to bring fellow forward Cristiano along for the ride.

Premium recruit Owusu finally landed in Adelaide yesterday after a marathon trip from London that included a flight diversion to Mildura as wild storms ravaged the state.

Cristiano was used in 4-5-1 combination last season by coach Aurelio Vidmar but that will change if the Brazilian gets his wish to feed off a target man. Charismatic Owusu, at 188cm, fits the bill.

"It could be a nice combination. All through my career I have played well with a little nippy kind of guy. I create for him and get him in. If we do play that kind of formation it could be good for the club," said Owusu, who spurned an offer from Brighton and Hove Albion in England's Division One to join United for two seasons. "I think it will bring the best out of both of us.

"Cristiano, from what I have seen, is quality. His movement and touch is really good. I think I can get him in. He can get a few goals this season."

Adelaide often is derided as resembling a big retirement village but journeyman Owusu says his move to the A-League represents a fresh start.

"I am 32. I don't think I am coming to the end of my career, it is just another chapter really. I believe I can play until I am 40," said striker Owusu, who also has played with Sheffield Wednesday and Reading in a decade-long professional career.

Affable Owusu comes loaded with confidence after earning the League One player of the month gong in April and helping the Seagulls avoid relegation with seven goals in 14 games on loan from Cheltenham Town. "If I can keep fit and strong there could be some great times here," Owusu, an ex-London DJ, said.

"There's no pressure. It's excitement if anything.

"There's new surroundings and different football I have to get used to but I am about scoring goals. If I get the opportunities and the ball is in the right areas I know I will score goals. From what I have seen the boys have great quality - like Cassio, Scott Jamieson and Travis Dodd."

The prospect of tasting AFC Champions League action and the Reds' hospitality proved impossible to resist for Ghana international Owusu, soon to be joined in Adelaide by glamorous partner Sam Nelemans and daughter Ajaya Ama, seven months.

"The Champions League was a massive carrot in coming here. I probably wouldn't have got another opportunity to play top-flight football," Owusu said. "Adelaide came in and looked after me. A club that wants you to be the main man was a major factor why I signed."

Vidmar predicts Owusu will make a significant impact. "He will add some strength to our forward line, a real presence and good in the air. If he can get to double digits in goals it could spell a successful season," the coach said.

Shin In Sup-er form for Reds

RICHARD EARLE
June 30, 2009 12:00am
GIFTED Adelaide United import Shin In Sup has vowed to continue the midfield wizardry that converted a two-week trial into a two-year deal at Hindmarsh.

Attacking midfielder Shin, 20, supplied the assist for skipper Travis Dodd's match-winner in United's 1-0 victory over Perth Glory on Friday night at Hindmarsh.

The Korean's performance convinced coach Aurelio Vidmar to secure his fifth import.

"I am very pleased. I had nothing to lose in Friday's game and it all went well. I had also been training pretty hard," said Seoul-born Shin.

"I guess until you sign, you are never totally confident, though."

Shin could also assume former Hindmarsh favourite Diego Walsh's role in the Reds' midfield set-up.

"I hope to be someone who can create chances and maybe score some goals as well," said 175cm Shin, who speaks fluent English after teenage years spent in England - which included a trial with Crystal Palace.

Shin rates moving from Korea to start his first professional contract as his "big break" and intends to make the most of it.

"It is my big move and change in my life," said Shin, recruited from Kunkuk University.

"My agent is a friend of Paul Agostino, that is how got the trial. I was pretty lucky.

"The A-League has a good reputation and you can see that through the performances of teams like Adelaide in the Champions League.

"The chance to play in the Champions League is very exciting and I will be trying hard to be part of that."

Vidmar believes his fifth and final foreign acquisition will become a hit with the Reds faithful.

"Were excited about Shin joining the club. He's a great young kid, he's got fantastic potential and we saw that in the two weeks that he spent here, and in the match against Perth last Friday," Vidmar said.

[size=7]Injuries hamper Adelaide United's plans[/size]

RICHARD EARLE
July 02, 2009 12:00am

..ADELAIDE United coach Aurelio Vidmar has been spared a confrontation with Robbie Fowler but left "frustrated" by a depleted squad ahead of tonight's clash with North Queensland in Darwin.

The friendly fixture with Ian Ferguson's Fury marks United's first appearance in the Top End, in a battle with former Hindmarsh favourites Jason Spagnuolo and Fred Agius.

However, midfielder Paul Reid has not rebounded from the calf strain sustained during Adelaide's 1-0 win against Perth at Hindmarsh on Friday. Forwards Cristiano, Francesco Monterosso, playmaker Cassio, Fabian Barbiero and Australian Under-20 Player of the Year Daniel Mullen are also sidelined.

"We have a few injury problems," conceded Vidmar, now expected to start skipper Travis Dodd as a lone striker tonight.

"Unfortunately Reidy and Cristiano have just got really slight strains of calf and hamstring respectively. We have had to take three youth team kids, Joe Costa, Alex Sunasky, Joel Allwright for this trip.

"Cassio is another one who has had to pull out due to an impingement on his ankle."

Complicating United's preparation has been the late arrival of keeper Mark Birighitti and Kristian Sarkies following Australian Under-19 and A-League promotional duties. New signings Lloyd Owusu and Shin In Sup have also been rested.

Vidmar suspects the Fury is better than its 4-0 loss to Sydney FC at Cronulla's Shark Park last week showed.

"Fury are a young side coming up in the A-League and have had some indifferent results but are just trying to find their feet," he said.

"Robbie Fowler has been injured for some weeks now but I am sure once he gets fit he will come into the team and score goals because that is his pedigree.

"They still have a bit experience there with Robbie Middleby, Freddie (Agius), Jason (Spagnuolo) and Daniel McBreen."

Vidmar will use the game at Darwin Football Stadium to refine preparation for looming trips to Townsville and to gauge the match-fitness of his troops.

"It will be a test for us. It will probably be a 20-degree temperature difference from Adelaide so we will see how we go," Vidmar said.

"It is a good exercise to go up there because we are going to have to go up to North Queensland on a couple of occasions when conditions are pretty tough and this gives a good indication of what we have to do. The more games against A-League opposition, the better for us."