Fred Agius and Daniel Godley will be in opposing dugouts for Brahma Lodge and BOSA FC respectively as both sides will contest the 2020 Alex Cichanowski Shield at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.
Both coaches also share a connection with the Reds having been a part of the Club at various stages of their impressive careers.
Saturday’s match will serve as the curtain raiser to Adelaide United’s Round 22 clash against Western United.
The Shield was first introduced in 1984 and under its current format sees the winners from the respective Saturday and Sunday Premier Divisions play off as a pre-cursor to the South Australian Amateur Soccer League (SAASL) season.
Brahma Head Coach, Agius, praised the partnership and was looking forward to the occasion.
“It’s a good initiative between Adelaide United and the amateur league,” the 36-year-old said.
“We’re delighted to be a part of the first game to be played at Hindmarsh and we can’t wait really.”
A winger in his playing days, Agius said he will be telling his squad to embrace the opportunity of playing on the hallowed turf of Coopers Stadium and admitted returning to the venue brings back the memories.
“It’s the best stadium in Australia really, so we strive to make the cup final each year so we get to play on Hindmarsh,” Agius said, who played for Adelaide back in the Club’s inaugural season during the National Soccer League.
“I won’t be there as a player unfortunately, but as the coach I always tell the boys that it’s an honour and privilege to play on Hindmarsh.
“Not many amateur players get to do it, so just to embrace it.”
BOSA boss, Godley, was also relishing the chance to take to the field.
“Number one to obviously get into this game you need to win a championship,” Godley said.
“And second it’s the best venue in SA or in my opinion Australia to play at.”
Godley signed with the Reds on a short-term contract back in 2009 while Mark Birighitti was away on international duty and also appeared in the National Youth League, and later served as the goalkeeping coach for Adelaide United Women.
“That was good, obviously fantastic to do and I obviously support Adelaide United in the A-League so getting the curtain raiser for them is fantastic,” he revealed.
“I know a lot of our players have I don’t think actually played on Hindmarsh and if they have, it’s one or two games.
“So they’re absolutely buzzing for the game.”
The gloveman is the all-time appearances leader for MetroStars, representing the Klemzig-based club 296 times.
He said the transition into coaching has been aided by learning his craft at Metro.
“I sort of baby stepped it through MetroStars as a goalkeeping coach and under Rob Saraceno,” he explained.
“And he included me a lot in what he was doing, so working with himself and Trav (Travis Dodd) was a pretty easy transition in a head coach role.”
BOSA will go into the match as underdogs, but Godley hinted that anything can happen in a one-off game.
“It will be ridiculously hard, they’ve an absolutely fantastic line-up, but it’s a final,” he said.
Adelaide United host Western United in Round 22 of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season on Saturday, 7 March at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 4.30pm ACDT. Gates open at 1.00pm. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports, ABC, Kayo Sports and the MyFootball Live App.
