Adelaide United FC Season 2003-04

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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, progessing 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.

[edit] Adelaide United FC Squad NSL Season 2003-04

No. Position Player 1 GK David Scarcella 2 DF Richie Alagich 3 DF Kristian Rees 4 MF Aaron Goulding 5 DF Michael Valkanis 6 MF Ross Aloisi 7 MF David Terminello 8 FW Carl Veart 9 FW Shane Smeltz 10 MF Aurelio Vidmar 11 MF Goran Lozanovski 12 MF Shane Thompson

No. Position Player 14 MF Sean Widera 15 MF Aaron Westervelt 16 FW Michael Brooks 17 FW Mimi Saric 18 MF Fred Agius 19 FW Elias Demourtzidis 20 GK Robert Bajic 21 MF Adriano Pellegrino 22 GK Nick Crossley 23 FW Nick Budin 24 MF Matthew Kemp

• Coach: John Kosmina

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

Season Record - Adelaide United FC - 2003/04

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

Summary League Record - Adelaide United 2003/04

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