Reds duo, Nigel Boogard and Bruce Djite, have both spoken volumes of the team’s determination to redeem themselves in front of the Coopers Stadium faithful in Tuesday night’s Westfield FFA Cup Final after recently losing 1-0 to Brisbane Roar.
With the much anticipated Westfield FFA Cup Final at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday evening, Nigel Boogaard and Bruce Djite have reiterated United’s commitment to winning the competition leading into the high-stakes match against Perth Glory.
“It stung to lose at Coopers (against Brisbane Roar on Friday), especially after we hadn’t lost there for over a year,” Djite said.
“It’s a terrible feeling, but the benefit is that we have a game on Tuesday and it’s a short turn-around between the two games.
“The team is feeling positive and we’re confident. Our FFA Cup form has been very, very good and we’ve beaten all A-League sides, so there is no reason why we can’t beat just one more.
“I’m someone who’s a bit superstitious and I don’t like touching (the trophy before a final), but on the night, come the final whistle, I hope to be holding it up with the rest of my teammates.”
And whilst Djite is fit and set to line up for United, Boogaard was forced to sit out of the Reds’ Round 10 fixture against the Roar due to injury. But the defender said it would take something major to prevent him from taking part, even though he knows his availability for the match is still somewhat uncertain.
“I’ve been resting and listening to the medical staff,” Boogaard explained.
“We’ve got a great medical team here and by listening to them and taking their advice, I’ll hopefully be alright to go out there on Tuesday night.
“(I’m hopeful) that everything settles down and in the next two days I’ll be able to train and get right for the game.
“(I’m not feeling) too bad and I’m staying positive. It’s probably one of the biggest games in my (personal career), so I definitely want to be part of it.
“The boys are obviously a little bit disappointed with the result against Brisbane because we had a great home record for a while, prior to last night. But we just have to put it behind us, analyse it and see where we need to improve, and make sure we adjust those little things for Tuesday against Perth.”
Adelaide United will face Perth Glory in the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup Final at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday, 16 December. Kick off is at 7.00pm ACDT.
The Westfield FFA Cup Final 2014 will be shown LIVE and exclusively on FOX SPORTS 505 (FOX SPORTS 4HD and 4) with coverage from 6.30pm ACDT.
