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.
Season summary
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
Squad information
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers
Transfers in
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 | ![]() | Free transfer | 5 years | July 2003 | [1] |
20 | GK | Robert Bajic | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
16 | FW | Michael Brooks | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
23 | MF | Nick Budin | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
22 | GK | Nick Crossley | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
19 | FW | Elias Demourtzidis | Sydney Olympic | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
4 | DF | Aaron Goulding | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
24 | MF | Matthew Kemp | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
11 | MF | Goran Lozanovski | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
21 | MF | Adriano Pellegrino | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
3 | DF | Kristian Rees | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
17 | FW | Mimi Saric | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
1 | GK | David Scarsella | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
9 | FW | ![]() | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
13 | FW | ![]() | Brisbane Strikers | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
7 | MF | David Terminello | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
5 | DF | Michael Valkanis | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
8 | FW | Carl Veart | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
10 | FW | Aurelio Vidmar | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
15 | MF | Aaron Westervelt | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
14 | MF | Sean Widera | ![]() | Free transfer | 1 year | July 2003 | [1] |
Transfers out
No. | Position | Player | Transferred to | Type/fee | Date | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FW | ![]() | ![]() | Free transfer | December 2003 | [1] | |
6 | MF | Ross Aloisi | ![]() | Free transfer | March 2004 | [1] |
20 | GK | Robert Bajic | ![]() | Free transfer | March 2004 | [1] |
3 | DF | Kristian Rees | ![]() | Free transfer | March 2004 | [1] |
Competitions
Overall record
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
League table
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 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored;
(C) Champions
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; = Bye
Matches
17 October 2003 5 | Adelaide United | 1–0 | Brisbane Strikers | Adelaide |
21:30 ACST |
| 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 |
| 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
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
Appearances and goals
No. | Pos. | Name | National Soccer League | National Soccer League Finals | Total | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||||
1 | GK | ![]() | 20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |||||
2 | DF | ![]() | 24 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 28 | 3 | |||||
4 | DF | ![]() | 24 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | |||||
5 | DF | ![]() | 20+1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |||||
7 | MF | ![]() | 8+8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |||||
8 | MF | ![]() | 23 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 12 | |||||
9 | FW | ![]() | 4+3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | |||||
10 | MF | ![]() | 23 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | |||||
11 | MF | ![]() | 12+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |||||
12 | MF | ![]() | 7+4 | 1 | 1+1 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |||||
15 | MF | ![]() | 11+7 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |||||
16 | FW | ![]() | 0+5 | 2 | 0+3 | 1 | 8 | 3 | |||||
17 | FW | ![]() | 5+9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 | |||||
18 | MF | ![]() | 6+3 | 0 | 3+1 | 1 | 13 | 1 | |||||
19 | FW | ![]() | 5+6 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |||||
21 | MF | ![]() | 7+10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |||||
23 | MF | ![]() | 8+7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 1 | |||||
24 | MF | ![]() | 8 | 1 | 2+1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |||||
Players sold but featured this season | |||||||||||||
3 | DF | ![]() | 23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |||||
6 | MF | ![]() | 22 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 26 | 4 | |||||
20 | GK | ![]() | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||
— | FW | ![]() | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Disciplinary record
Rank | Position | Name | National Soccer League | National Soccer League Finals | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||
1 | FW | ![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
2 | FW | ![]() | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
3 | MF | ![]() | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
4 | MF | ![]() | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
5 | MF | ![]() | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
6 | DF | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
MF | ![]() | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
8 | MF | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
MF | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
DF | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
11 | MF | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
GK | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
MF | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
MF | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Clean sheets
Rank | Name | National Soccer League | National Soccer League Finals | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 9 | 1 | 10 |
2 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 10 | 1 | 11 |
References
- ^ 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
- Official Website
- OZFootball Website