Following his involvement with the Socceroos’ World Cup Qualifier in Jordan, Tarek Elrich has now re-joined his Adelaide United teammates with his mind solely focussed on the Reds’ match with Western Sydney Wanderers this Friday.
The Socceroos went down 2-0 to Jordan at the Amman International Stadium in the early hours of Friday morning, whilst Elrich’s teammates were getting much needed rest ahead of their tiresome match against Melbourne Victory at Adelaide Oval.
Despite Elrich being approximately 13,000 kilometres away, the full-back followed his United teammates’ progress closely over Twitter, anxiously following every tweet.
The disappointment of not being out on the park last Friday has already turned into total eagerness for Elrich, as the Reds prepare to face one of his former sides, Western Sydney Wanderers, at Coopers Stadium.
“I kept up with the game over Twitter and for me I was gutted that I couldn’t be out there,” Elrich explained.
“I saw the boys were playing hard and working for each other, which is great.
“(Matches against Victory are) the biggest games on our calendar. They are never an easy team (to play) and although we would have liked to have gotten off to the season with a win, it’s all behind us and we won’t dwell on it.
“I’m back here now for a massive game against Western Sydney this Friday night and we’ve moved on from Victory and are only focussing on Wanderers.”
Elaborating on the club’s Round 2 fixture with Western Sydney, Elrich said the loss Wanderers suffered at the hands of Brisbane Roar will fuel their hunger for a win this time around.
This in conjunction with the strength the Wanderers possess right across the park, United look set to be pushed to their limits again this week.
But Elrich says this is all part of a new season, with the most important aspect of it being the Reds focussing on their own tasks rather than worrying about their opposition.
“They are going to be dangerous after a loss (against the Roar) and there’s a lot of pressure on them now,” Elrich said. “I can guarantee they’re going to come out firing.
“(Getting wins early in the season) is massive and helps you gain confidence from it, especially seeing as it’s a long season.
“At the end of it all, though, we have to make sure we do all the small things right to help us at the end.
“We’re a quality team and when our game’s on, I don’t think anyone can beat us.”
Elrich also stated the squad’s excitement in being able to finally return to Coopers Stadium, considering the team’s last Hyundai A-League match at the ground being last season’s Round 27 match against Melbourne City at the end of April.
“It’s been a while since we played a game at Coopers. It’s a great pitch and we definitely feel at home there.
“Hopefully the fans get around us and we get a good turn out for what’s another big game.”
Adelaide United will face Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 2 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season at Coopers Stadium on Friday, 16 October 2015. Kick-off is at 7.10 pm.
