Coach John Kosmina believes Friday night’s blockbuster against Melbourne Victory has the capacity to be another epic in the history between the two clubs.
Adelaide United Coach John Kosmina believes Friday night-s blockbuster against Melbourne Victory has the capacity to be another epic in the history between the two clubs.
The Victory, under Coach Ange Postecoglou, come to Hindmarsh Stadium after downing Perth Glory last Friday night to leave them unbeaten in their past five games and beginning to show some of the football that has them considered genuine championship contenders.
“They-re starting to find some form. They-ve got some good strong characters in their side,” Kosmina said of the Reds- Week 10 opponents.
“They played well on Friday night from what I saw, although Perth did get back in in the second half and could maybe consider themselves unlucky not to at least get a point.”
“But having said that Melbourne have got some very good players. Marcos (Flores) is starting to find some form, I think (Gui) Finkler is surprising a few people, I think a lot of people wrote him off in the pre season campaign – not us because he looked tidy and scored against us in the friendly in Tasmania, and Ange has tightened things up at the back as well.”
The Qantas Socceroos- participation in the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) East Asian Cup 2013 qualifying tournament means the Reds will again be without captain Eugene Galekovic, while Melbourne are missing Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan.
While the absence of Galekovic and the Victory duo could be seen to take away some quality from both teams, Kosmina does not think it will detract from the game being a typical emotion charged and enthralling Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory contest.
“Despite the fact that they-ll be missing Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan, they-re still a threat and Marco Rojas scored a great goal on Friday night – he-s really in form,” Kosmina said.
“So they-re a team we have to watch out for and hopefully it will be one of those classic Adelaide v Melbourne derby matches with a full house at Hindmarsh.”
Hopefully Reds fans vote with their feet and turn up to Hindmarsh Stadium in their droves on Friday night. Kick-Off is at 7.00pm and tickets are available through Ticketek.
