Perth Glory’s mid-season signing Krisztian Vadocz has commended his teammates and coach Kenny Lowe ahead of Saturday’s match against Newcastle Jets.
Signed as an injury replacement for midfielder Ruben Zadkovich, Vadocz joined the club from Alaves in Spain’s second division in late January. Since joining Glory, the Hungarian has imposed himself as a key contributor to the team’s red hot form.
Vadocz was also named in the Hyundai A-League’s Round 24 Team of the Week and is becoming increasingly popular with the Perth Glory faithful. After six appearances in Glory colours, the 30-year-old midfielder declared his happiness as a valued player at the club.
“I’m really enjoying my time here, I’m really satisfied,” Vadocz said.
“I am really happy about how I have adapted here, it has happened so fast and right from the beginning.
“They (Glory teammates) welcomed me as a friend, they treat me well and give me a lot of responsibility.
“I am happy to be recognised by the other guys, they’ve given me a chance to show my qualities here in Australia and I like that.”
Vadocz’s career spanned many of Europe’s top leagues; after shining as a teenager at Budapest Honved FC in Hungary. Vadocz appeared 71 times for Osasuna in Spain’s La Liga, scoring 7 goals, including a memorable volley against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2010. His illustrious career also took him to Holland, France, Denmark, India and Switzerland. Vadocz has also appeared 39 times for The Magyars, Hungary’s famous national team.
Throughout his national team career, he linked up with fellow Glory midfielder and countryman Gyorgy Sandor, a bond Vadocz says helps the duo perform on the pitch.
“We (Sandor and I) knew each other from when were just kids,” said Vadocz.
“We played together in the national team for Hungary and now, 20 years later, on the other side of the world, we have reunited.
“The Hungarian duo is strong and tough; we can talk Hungarian on the pitch, we give praise and comments to each other.
“We are happy about our performance.”
Vadocz also saved praise for Kenny Lowe, whose 69th managerial appearance this weekend will make him Glory’s outright most-capped manager during the Hyundai A-League era. Vadocz spoke highly of Lowe’s man-management skills and leadership.
“Kenny is a really good guy,” Vadocz said. “I never see him to be down, or out of a good mood.
“He has great experience with how to handle the play, how to lead the training and the speeches that he and the other staff give before the match or throughout the week.
“We have a really good relationship.”
Despite the praise, the towering 1.88 metre midfielder urged his teammates not to rest on their laurels with the strong possibility of finals football looming.
“We are winning, so this a good moment to praise everyone but we do not want to be complacent, because at this part of our journey, it can wrong quite suddenly,” Vadocz said.
“Our duty and our work has to be at the same level as before if we really want to achieve something.
“We are still in the middle of a process and our objective is still ahead of us.”
Glory kick off against Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium at 2:15pm WST (5:15pm local) on Saturday afternoon, before returning to Perth for our last home game of the regular season against Melbourne City in Round 26 on April 3.
Tickets to the Melbourne City game are available here: http://bit.ly/1iXHvKf
