Marco Kurz and Isaías admit Adelaide United will have to be at their best if they are to overcome Sydney FC in the FFA Cup 2018 Final at Coopers Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Reds come into the final on the back of successive draws to begin the Hyundai A-League 2018/19 season.
Indeed, one of those stalemates occurred against the Sky Blues in the opening round after Scott Galloway’s strike was cancelled out by Adam Le Fondre.
If that clash was anything to go by the final will likely be another tight and fascinating contest.
It is the second consecutive cup final appearance for the Reds too, who incidentally suffered a 2-1 extra-time loss to the Sky Blues last year.
Kurz said his side – yet to concede a goal in this season’s tournament – must limit the involvement of Sydney’s key players by remaining disciplined and exploiting the space between the lines.
“I think we know they need only one chance to score a goal,” Kurz said at the pre-match press conference.
“They’ve a lot of good, key players in their squad.
“(Adam) Le Fondre is a beautiful striker, (Milos) Ninkovic is a perfect player.
“I think it’s up to us, if we play very compact and aggressive against them then they’ll have problems.
“Also we must find the spaces behind the lines but I’m looking forward, I think Sydney is the favourite but we’re ready.”
The German clarified his statement about his side being the underdogs at home, but felt the visitors possess a bit more experience due to their recent success as a club.
However, Kurz had faith in the Reds that they could get the job done.
“When I said they are the favourites, I think it’s because of their experience,”
“They’ve played a lot of finals and won a lot of trophies, so in this case they’re a step in front of us.
“But I think we saw in the league, we saw last season every game was very close.
“I think we can beat them but we have to do a great job and each player must find their best performance.”
Thanks to @DonateLifeToday, John Beeslee received the liver and kidney transplants he so desperately needed. Our Captain @isaias_sc8 had the privilege of delivering more good news to John regarding the @FFACup Final. #FFACup #MoreThanFootball
🎟 Tickets: https://t.co/Gt3MrYRkPe pic.twitter.com/o2zwvaqj2D
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) October 28, 2018
Meanwhile, Isaías revealed it would be really special to lead the team to FFA Cup glory this time as Captain.
Having claimed the title in 2014, the Spaniard stated lifting the cup would be vindication of their gruelling pre-season.
“For us it would be a very important thing,” Isaías said.
“Not only for the players but for the Club, for the fans, and for the city.
“I think it would be a big achievement for all of us because we did a lot of hard work during the pre-season and we achieved this by arriving in this moment and I hope tomorrow we can lift the trophy.”
Isaías also added the players will receive an extra boost playing in front of a packed Coopers Stadium.
“I expect that they help us and support us like always,” he said.
“I know with their support and with their help we can beat anyone and we’re stronger with them one hundred per cent.”
FFA Cup Record
| Adelaide United | Sydney FC | |
| 2014 | Champions |
Quarter Finals |
| 2015 | Quarter Finals | Round of 16 |
| 2016 | Round of 32 | Runners-up |
| 2017 | Runners-up | Champions |
Adelaide United host Sydney FC in the FFA Cup 2018 Final on Tuesday, 30 October at Coopers Stadium. Gates open at 5:30pm. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACDT. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports and the My Football Live App.
