Galekovic to lead by example against Wellington Phoenix

Adelaide United will head into battle against the Wellington Phoenix Friday night with a new captain after Coach John Kosmina’s midweek leadership shakeup.

Goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic has been given the armband permanently while deposed skipper Jon McKain will start the match on United’s bench after missing last week through suspension.

Despite Galekovic’s reserved nature off the field Kosmina feels there are few better leaders within the Hyundai A-League.

“Even if you’re a bloke that doesn’t talk a lot if you’re able to lead by example then there isn’t a better example, probably not in Australia,” Kosmina said.

“This guy has been the backbone of this club, sometimes on his own, for five years.

“He’s had Champions League success and the guy’s been recognised everywhere, he’s fantastic so purely on that alone he’s a natural [leader].”

Galekovic said he was looking forward to the challenge of his new role as captain and is looking to emulate one of his goalkeeping heroes.

“You look at the Spanish national team and see what they’ve done and [Iker] Casillas has done a great job, he’s won a World Cup and he’s a top goalkeeper as well,” Galekovic said.

“Kossie saw something in me that I’ve got leadership qualities and my role on the pitch won’t change, obviously off the pitch there’s going to be more commitments but I can put up with that and I look forward to it.”

McKain had hoped to retain the captaincy but Kosmina said the centre-back was doing his best to move on quickly from the decision.

“He put his teammates and the club before himself. He accepted the decision and got on with the job and I thought he trained exceptionally well today,” Kosmina said.

Kosmina was full of confidence as his side prepares to take on the fifth-placed Phoenix.

“I’m not frightened of Wellington football-wise, at all,” Kosmina said.
“And to be honest not even the physical side [either].

“We’ve got Antony Golec, Daniel Mullen, Nigel Boogaard and Serg van Dijk. They’re big blokes in their own right, they’re good physical specimens and they can compete.”

A win at Hindmarsh Stadium could see the Reds climb as high as seventh spot on the Hyundai A-League Ladder.