Iain Fyfe believes an emphasis on perfecting the basics and developing a ruthless streak will go a considerable way to the Reds matching it with Bunyodkor.
Adelaide United FC defender and new father Iain Fyfe believes an emphasis on perfecting the basics and developing a ruthless streak will go a considerable way to the Reds matching it with Bunyodkor in the upcoming AFC Champions League Quarter Finals.
On the eve of United-s pre season trial match against Sydney FC at Marconi Stadium (the Reds- third against Hyundai A-League opposition), Fyfe declared the anticipation to the September 19 home leg against the Uzbek giants is building.
“The boys are getting excited and training hard,” Fyfe said.
“It-s a massive game for us, hugely important, and we think we-ve been doing pretty well so far and we-ll be ready for it when it comes around.”
The Reds- intense pre season program and schedule of trial matches is aimed at giving the squad the best possible preparation for the ACL Knockout Stage.
However, Fyfe is aware that being out of season, combined with Bunyodkor being well entrenched into their domestic campaign, means the only remaining Australian team left in the 2012 competition will be well and truly up against it.
This is in contrast to when the teams met in the Group Stage earlier this year, in which the Reds were playing regularly in the A-League while Bunoydkor-s season had yet to start.
“We know what they (Bunyodkor) are all about, we know what kind of style they play,” Fyfe said of the Reds- Quarter Final opponents.
“They-re going to be a different team from when they came here last time, they-ve been through a pretty hard season and they-re going to be match hardened.”
“They-re a good team and they play good football but we-re confident.”
According to Fyfe, who became a father for the first time a week ago, a key to combating Bunyodkor-s talent as well as getting Adelaide United back to the top of the Hyundai A-League comes down to some simple areas.
“We-ve got a lot to work on all over the park, but the most important thing is our structure, our shape, keeping the ball, the basics – getting those down pat…and obviously up front we want to be ruthless, and that-s the thing that we-ve got to drive more,” Fyfe said.
“We need to be more ruthless all over the park and we want to win every game, regardless of whether it-s a trial game or not.”
Captain Eugene Galekovic returns for the match against Sydney FC after missing the clash with Melbourne Victory due to a corked thigh, however midfielder Osama Malik will not travel with the team as he recovers from a shoulder injury he sustained in Launceston.
Kick-Off for the match at Marconi Stadium is at 4.30pm (ACST).
