Adelaide United FC’s Week 6 Hyundai A-League match may be marked down as one of the club’s away fixtures, but the Reds will be right at home when they face Gold Coast United.
Adelaide United FC-s Week 6 Hyundai A-League match may be marked down as one of the club-s away fixtures, but the Reds will be right at home when they face Gold Coast United.
In what is a first for the league, Gold Coast United was offering to sell one of its home games and the Reds- willingly obliged, meaning the teams will now meet at Hindmarsh Stadium instead of Skilled Park for what is technically still a Gold Coast ‘home game-.
Reds midfielder Zenon Caravella, who spent the past two seasons on the Gold Coast before moving to Adelaide, is delighted with the opportunity to play an extra game at home.
“It-s fantastic. I-ve never heard of it before but we-ll take it, it-s great for us, we-ve got a great crowd behind us and even playing last season at Gold Coast (United), it was always fun to play away from home, so I-m sure the Gold Coast boys will enjoy it as well,” Caravella said.
“We-ve got a great home crowd and they come out and support us all the time so we want to give them something back and we-re confident the wins will come.”
It will be the second time Caravella, who made 52 appearances and scored one goal in two seasons with Gold Coast United, will come up against his former side after the two teams met in a pre season match back in September.
While there is often added interest when a player fronts up against his old club, Caravella declared tomorrow night-s game did not carry any added motivation or emotion for him.
“For me it-s just another game, it doesn-t have any extra significance,” Caravella said.
“We go out there every week to get the same result and that-s to win, so whether it-s against an old club or a new club we-re still going for the same result, and that-s to win.”
In last season-s finals series, Caravella and Reds striker Bruce Djite were both part of the Gold Coast side that ended the Reds- season in a five goal thriller at Hindmarsh, but now the duo will be hoping for a reverse result.
The Reds have just one win to show from their first five games, but Caravella knows there is still a long way to go. Based on the upbeat feeling within the squad, the 28 year old is certain it will start to reflect in the team-s performances and results on the pitch. That the Reds have the chance to secure three points against Gold Coast at Hindmarsh Stadium is a helpful and added bonus.
“I don-t think it-s something you can put your finger on and say we-re missing this or that. It-s a collective thing, we-ve got to work it out and the mood in the camp is positive. We-ve got the quality so we-ve just got to keep playing, keep fighting and I‘m sure the results will come,” Caravella said.
“I-m enjoying my time here in Adelaide. I-m loving it, there-s a great group of guys and it-s still early days. We know we-ve got a lot of improving to do and the quality is there and the mood is positive, so for me that-s the key.”
Heading into the tussle with Gold Coast United, Reds Head Coach Rini Coolen has been forced to make three changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Melbourne Heart.
A calf problem to defender Milan Susak is set to see Nigel Boogaard come in for his first game since a long term ankle injury, while Daniel Mullen and Youth Team and Qantas Young Socceroos goalkeeper Nick Munro fill the void left by Evgeniy Levchenko (calf injury) and Mark Birighitti, who is on trial in Holland.
Gates open at 6pm with kick-off at 7.30pm. The pre match Remembrance Day ceremony will commence just prior to kick-off.
The club also reiterates that the game is technically Gold Coast United home match, thus Reds- season ticket holders must purchase a ticket to this game. Adelaide United is offering season ticket holders a special discounted ticket price for this game. Click here for details.
Hyundai A-League 2011/12 Season – Week 6
Gold Coast United v Adelaide United FC
Friday 11 November 2011, Hindmarsh Stadium
Kick-Off: 7.30pm ACDT (8.00pm AEDT)
Referee: Chris Beath
Tickets: Available through Ticketek (call 132 849, online at www.ticketek.com.au)
TV: Live and exclusive on FOX Sports 1
Radio: ABC Radio (891 Digital or click here to listen online )
Twitter: https://twitter.com/adelutd_fc (hash tag #HALaugcu)
Adelaide United: 1.Eugene Galekovic (gk), 3.Nigel Boogaard, 4.Jon McKain (c), 5.Daniel Mullen, 6.Cassio, 7.Zenon Caravella, 9.Sergio Van Dijk, 10.Dario Vidosic, 11.Bruce Djite, 14.Cameron Watson, 16.Spase Dilevski, 17.Iain Ramsay, 21.Francisco Usucar, 23.Andy Slory, 39.Nick Munro (gk)
In: Nigel Boogaard (Promoted), Daniel Mullen (Promoted), Nick Munro (gk) (Adelaide United Youth)
Out: Evgeniy Levchenko (Calf – 1-2 Weeks), Mark Birighitti (gk) (On Trial In Holland), Milan Susak (Calf – 1 Week)
Unavailable: Nil
Gold Coast United: 1.Glen Moss (gk), 2.Josh Brillante, 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 4.Zac Anderson, 5.Kristian Rees, 6.Paul Beekmans, 8.Robson, 10.Tahj Minniecon, 12.Dylan Macallister, 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 16.Maceo Rigters, 18.James Brown, 20.Jerrad Tyson (gk), 22.Peter Jungschlager, 23.Dylan McGowan, 28.Daniel Bowles, 29.Mitch Bevan
*three to be omitted*
In: Josh Brillante (return from international duty), Zac Anderson (promoted), Tahj Minniecon (promoted), Daniel Bowles (promoted)
Out: Ambes Yosief (not selected)
Unavailable: Joel Porter (calf – 2 weeks), Ante Rozic (knee – 2 weeks), Chris Broadfoot (ankle – 6 weeks)
Adelaide United vs. Gold Coast United – Hyundai A-League HEAD TO HEAD Record
Played 7 – 1 win, 4 draws, 2 losses
27-Feb-2011… L 2-3… 2010/11 Elimination Final (Hindmarsh Stadium)
2-Feb-2011… D 0-0… 2010/11 Midweek (Skilled Park)
26-Nov-2010… W 2-1… 2010/11 Wk 16 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
17-Oct-2010… D 0-0… 2010/11 Wk 10 (Skilled Park)
9-Jan-2010… D 1-1… 2009/10 Rd 22 (Skilled Park)
20-Nov-2009… D 1-1… 2009/10 Rd 15 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
21-Aug-2009… L 0-2… 2009/10 Rd 3 (Hindmarsh Stadium)
At Hindmarsh Stadium
Played 4; Adelaide United 1, Gold Coast United 2, Draws 1
At Skilled Park
Played 3; Adelaide United 0, Gold Coast United 0, Draws 3
Last time they met
27-Feb-2011 Elimination Final, Hyundai A-League 2010/11 Season at Hindmarsh Stadium
Adelaide United 2 (van Dijk 56- (pen), Leckie 70-)
Gold Coast United 3 (Smeltz 38-/79- (pen), Djite 71-)
