Adelaide United Captain Eugene Galekovic is certain the Reds’ Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season is still alive, irrespective of the team’s 4-0 defeat to Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium yesterday.
Guillermo Amor’s men were unable to extend their unbeaten two-match streak, courtesy of two goals either side of half-time from the clinical Roar outfit.
Galekovic admitted it was disappointing to concede four goals, but maintained the squad are now firmly focused on their next encounter with the Newcastle Jets on Friday.
“The result doesn’t help but we go again tomorrow, we’ve got training tomorrow and a game on Friday,” Galekovic said.
“So the positive is it’s a short turnaround and we try to make amends… Friday (against the Newcastle Jets) is another big game.”
Galekovic is confident the Reds still have time to revitalise their stuttering Hyundai A-League campaign, despite languishing at the foot of the table.
“If you look at the ten teams I think anyone can beat anyone on their day, the top six make the finals,” Galekovic said
“So if you look at it like that we’re only two games off the six, but in saying that every game is now a tough game.
“You have to get results every game to keep yourself in contention and try to get into the six and try to build some momentum going into the finals to have any hope.”
With the draw for the 2017 AFC Champions League occurring on Tuesday, the 35-year-old gloveman affirmed the Club will concentrate equally on both fronts – not letting one competition be a distraction for the other.
“We definitely still want to achieve something in the A-League, obviously the ACL (Asian Champions League) is nice, it’s a bigger competition with bigger teams,” Galekovic said.
“But our focus is on the A-League and trying to get something out of that and we still believe we can.
“Like I said it’s a ten team competition with six making finals, so we’re two games off that and momentum can do a lot of things and a few wins can propel you into a top six berth.”
Adelaide United will face Newcastle Jets in Round 11 of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season on Friday, 16 December at McDonald Jones Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
