2003–04 Adelaide United FC season

The 2003–04 season was Adelaide United FC's inaugural season since its establishment in 2003.

Adelaide United
2003–04 season
Head CoachJohn 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

Review

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
Further information: Adelaide United FC § Players

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

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

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

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals
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
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
Rank Name National Soccer League National Soccer League Finals Total
1 David Scarsella 9 1 10
2 Robert Bajic 1 0 1
Total10111

Competitions

Overview
Competition Record
P W D L GF GA GD Win %
National Soccer League 24 11 7 6 28 25 +3 045.83
National Soccer League Finals 4 2 0 2 6 10 −4 050.00
Total 28 13 7 8 34 35 −1 046.43

Updated to match played for all completed matches.
Source: Competitions

National Soccer League
Main article: 2003–04 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
6 Brisbane Strikers 24 9 5 10 28 33 −5 32
7 Northern Spirit 24 9 3 12 31 33 −2 30
8 Sydney Olympic 24 7 8 9 26 31 −5 29
9 Wollongong Wolves 24 8 5 11 34 41 −7 29
10 Sydney United 24 7 8 9 18 25 −7 29
11 Newcastle United Jets 24 6 6 12 18 33 −15 24
12 Melbourne Knights 24 6 5 13 21 41 −20 23
13 Football Kingz 24 4 3 17 25 51 −26 15
Updated to match(es) played on 29 February 2004. Source: ozfootball.net
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored;
(C) Champion.

Results by Matchday
Matchday1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
GroundAHABHAHAHAHAHHAHBAHAHAHAHA
ResultDLW✖WWDDLLDWWDWW✖LDDWLWWWL
Position69897454787665544555554433
Source: WorldFootball.net
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss;   = Bye

Matches
17 October 2003 5Adelaide United1–0Brisbane StrikersAdelaide
21:30 ACST
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 15,568
Referee: Craig Zetter
24 October 2003 6Newcastle United Jets2–3Adelaide UnitedNewcastle
19:30 AEST
  • Griffiths  9'
  • Owens  16'
 Report
Stadium: EnergyAustralia Stadium
Attendance: 3,005
Referee: Con Diomis
2 November 2003 7Adelaide United0–0Sydney UnitedAdelaide
16:30 ACST Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 14,413
Referee: Angelo Nardi
8 November 2003 8Marconi Stallions0–0Adelaide UnitedSydney
19:30 AEST Report Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 1,820
Referee: Craig Zetter
16 November 2003 9Adelaide United1–4Perth GloryAdelaide
19:30 ACST
  • Kemp  19'
 Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,096
Referee: Matthew Breeze
22 November 2003 10South Melbourne2–1Adelaide UnitedMelbourne
19:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: Bob Jane Stadium
Attendance: 8,359
Referee: Simon Micallef
28 November 2003 11Adelaide United2–2Wollongong WolvesAdelaide
20:00 ACST
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 9,528
Referee: Perry Mur
30 November 2003 1Sydney Olympic0–0Adelaide UnitedSydney
18:00 AEST Stadium: Jubilee Oval
Attendance: 2,370
Referee: James Lewis
6 December 2003 12Football Kingz1–3Adelaide UnitedAuckland
18:00 NZDT
Report
Stadium: Ericsson Stadium
Attendance: 1,121
Referee: Peter Green
10 December 2003 13Adelaide United1–0Northern SpiritAdelaide
19:30 ACST
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 9,159
Referee: Craig Zetter
14 December 2003 14Adelaide United1–1Sydney OlympicAdelaide
19:30 ACST
  • Thompson  87'
 Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 11,153
Referee: Eddie Lennie
20 December 2003 15Parramatta Power1–2Adelaide UnitedParramatta
18:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: Parramatta Stadium
Attendance: 1,967
Referee: Angelo Nardi
28 December 2003 16Adelaide United2–1Melbourne KnightsAdelaide
18:20 ACST
  • Veart  15'
  • Terminello  31'
 Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,032
Referee: Simon Micallef
7 January 2004 18Brisbane Strikers1–0Adelaide UnitedBrisbane
20:30 AEST
Report Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 3,298
Referee: Perry Mur
11 January 2004 19Adelaide United0–0Newcastle United JetsAdelaide
17:00 ACST Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 14,280
Referee: Peter Green
18 January 2004 20Sydney United1–1Adelaide UnitedSydney
18:30 AEST
Report
Stadium: Sydney United Sports Centre
Attendance: 2,065
Referee: Matthew Breeze
23 January 2004 25Adelaide United1–0Football KingzAdelaide
20:00 ACST
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,212
Referee: Mark Shield
31 January 2004 22Perth Glory2–0Adelaide UnitedPerth
19:00 AWST
Stadium: Members Equity Stadium
Attendance: 9,711
Referee: Angelo Nardi
6 February 2004 23Adelaide United2–0South MelbourneAdelaide
20:00 ACST
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 12,463
Referee: Eddie Lennie
8 February 2004 3Melbourne Knights3–4Adelaide UnitedMelbourne
18:00 AEST
Report
Stadium: Knights Stadium
Attendance: 1,164
Referee: James Lewis
13 February 2004 24Wollongong Wolves0–1Adelaide UnitedWollongong
19:35 AEST
  • Brooks  80'
 Stadium: WIN Stadium
Attendance: 3,010
Referee: Peter Green
20 February 2004 21Adelaide United1–0Marconi StallionsAdelaide
20:00 ACST
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 13,690
Referee: Simon Micallef
25 February 2004 2Adelaide United0–2Parramatta PowerAdelaide
20:00 ACST Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 12,125
Referee: Perry Mur
29 February 2004 26Northern Spirit2–1Adelaide UnitedSydney
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 United3–0Brisbane StrikersAdelaide
07:30 ACST
Report Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 16,258
Referee: Ben Williams
13 March 2004 Qualifying Final (2nd Leg)Brisbane Strikers4–1Adelaide UnitedBrisbane
09:00 AEST
  • Moon  45'
  • Rose  58'
  • Brain  82'
  • Grierson  87'
 Report
Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 2,790
Referee: Matthew Breeze
20 March 2004 Semi-FinalAdelaide United2–1 (a.e.t.)South MelbourneAdelaide
09:30 ACST
Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 16,558
Referee: Simon Micallef
28 March 2004 Preliminary-FinalPerth Glory5–0Adelaide UnitedPerth
06:45 AWST
Report Stadium: Subiaco Oval
Attendance: 17,524
Referee: Eddie Lennie
gollark: From my vague knowledge of how NFC cards work, they would have had to go to *some effort* to make it insecure like that.
gollark: What a flawless and highly secure system.
gollark: I had read that it was more due to weird political things.
gollark: Except the few in the background.
gollark: I meant more that it seems to entirely lack tall buildings.

References
  1. "Adelaide United - Transfers 2003/2004". WorldFootball.net.
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