Thu 24th May 2007

Adelaide United farewelled Carl Veart and the club’s first AFC Champions League campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Dong Tam Long An at Hindmarsh Stadium.

All of the goals came from the boot of Travis Dodd in a commanding display of speed, composure and clinical finishing from United’s number 13, and was just the second hat trick scored by an Adelaide United player. As destructive as Dodd’s hat trick was, what the crowd will remember most from the game was acknowledging and celebrating the career of Veart, who walked out of the tunnel to a guard of honour from both sides at the start and was appointed United’s captain for the night.

In the absence of Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite and Fernando, United started with Dodd and Dez Giraldi up front with Matthew Kemp and Lucas Pantelis on either side and Veart holding a midfield role. It did not take the formation long to click as Dodd gave United the ideal start after just 7 minutes. Angelo Costanzo fed the ball out to Pantelis down the left hand side, who worked his way in board before instinctively putting the ball across and Dodd was on the spot to knock the ball into the back of the net.

With the lead, United patiently went about breaking open the Dong Tam defence, Veart and Pantelis both trying adventurous efforts on goal but coming up empty.

In the 20th minute Kemp released Veart down the right to the cheers of the Adelaide United faithful, and the 37 year old obliged to the applause with a pinpoint cross for Dodd who was causing Dong tam all sorts of problems, but he could not keep his header down.

One chance missed, Dodd quickly made up for it less than a minute later as Giraldi cut open the Dong Tam defence again putting a ball through the middle and Dodd was too quick for his marker, hitting a low shot under a diving Fabio Santos who would have expected to do better.

Dodd’s second and Adelaide were playing with confidence, especially Pantelis who was making the most of his start by trying his hand at another long bomb that hit the side netting moments later.

As much as United were in control, Dong Tam did provide some threats in the first half, mainly through Kabanga Tshamala and Antonio Rodrigues but they could not find the target for the Vietnamese champions and the score line remained 2-0 at the interval.

During the half time break the crowd got the chance to show their appreciation for Fernando’s contribution to Adelaide United over the past two years as the Brazilian, who missed the game through injury, made an appearance on the pitch with Adelaide United chairman Dario Fontanarosa.

There may not have been anything riding on the result but it was a night to celebrate for United, and three minutes after half time The Reds went three up and Dodd secured his hat trick. Keeper Robbie Bajic sent a long ball towards the Dong Tam penalty area and Dodd’s shadow had the defence startled again as he ran past two defenders to get on the end of the ball and slot away his third.

The points were safe for United as they attempted to get Veart on the score sheet in his final appearance and he could and arguably should have with two excellent chances within 14 minutes. In the 62nd minute, Veart found himself with space inside the penalty area with just Santos to beat, but the giant frame of the Brazilian keeper was enough of a presence for Veart to put his shot over the bar.

Then in the 76th minute Veart had his best chance when Dodd casually laid the ball across from the right but somehow even more casually, Veart missed the target with the goals beckoning. It wasn’t to be for the 37 year old on this night but his work in the midfield throughout showed why he will be regarded as one of South Australia’s best.

Even though the sting was out of the game, Dong Tam continued to try and construct opportunities and went close again through Rodrigues and Minh Phuong Nguyen’s free kick attempt.

United coach Aurelio Vidmar brought on his subs towards the end, Rob Cornthwaite coming on for Kemp who was also saying good-bye to Adelaide having signed for Melbourne Victory for the 2007/08 season. Veart also made way with less than five minutes to go, bringing the curtain down on a marvellous career of a player who gave his all for every team he played for.

The crowd rose in unison as Veart left the field in what was a fitting way for him to go out of professional football – as a winner.

Match Details
Adelaide United FC 3 (Dodd 7’, 21’, 48’)
Gach Dong Tam Long An FC 0
Crowd: 6,917 @ Hindmarsh Stadium
Referee: Abdul Bashir (Singapore)