There is little chance the Reds that take the field against Melbourne Victory will be swept up by the occasion if Coach Josep Gombau has anything to do with it.
Despite the fact that tonight-s blockbuster against Melbourne Victory will commemorate Adelaide United FC-s inaugural game 10 years ago, there is no chance the Reds players that take the field will be swept up by the occasion if Coach Josep Gombau has anything to do with it.
Well aware of the emotion and nostalgia surrounding the clash, Gombau knows it is a special night for the club but that for him and the team it will stop at kick-off when there is a job to be done and three points to be won.
Heading into his first grudge match against the Reds- fiercest rivals, Gombau stressed that when it all comes down to it, this is just the next important game that the Reds need to get a positive result.
“Tomorrow is a party, a big day for the club to celebrate 10 years, but the players and coaches do not need to think of it like this,” Gombau said.
“For us it is a league game, an important game, we need to bring 120 per cent to try to win. This is what I want from the players – not to think about the 10 Year Anniversary. This is more for the fans, for the people involved, but our job is to play hard and try to win tomorrow, next week and in every single game.”
“Of course it is nice if we can win because it is a day that everyone will remember, but we need to win every single game.”
He may yet have experienced the emotion and passion that comes with games between the two clubs, but Gombau admits he has been educated on what it means for United supporters to beat the team from across the eastern border.
“The people in the club explained to me that it-s a big game, that there is a big rivalry between South Australia and Victoria,” Gombau said.
“Yesterday somebody told me that some other games get more people in Sydney or Melbourne, but the passion in Adelaide and Melbourne games is very high, and I hope tomorrow we can do a good job.”
The Reds will be without the suspended Isaias and Nigel Boogaard but Gombau has confidence in the players who are waiting in the wings for their opportunity. The Victory have also been affected by suspension with their Chilean marquee signing Pablo Contreras to miss the game.
United defeated Melbourne Victory 2-1 in a pre season game prior to Season 9 getting underway, and while the Reds may have come out in front, Gombau says one can hardly take that as a form guide.
“I expect it to be a game where both teams want to attack and both teams want to win. A friendly is a friendly. What I mean is that we cannot think about what we did two weeks ago because it was a trial game with no crowd, we tried things, they tried things…now will be different,” Gombau said.
“There are three points up for grabs, they need to win because they had a draw last week, we need to win because it-s a big game and we-re playing at home.”
The clubs will once again play for the Kosmina/Muscat Cup, with a player to be awarded the Kosmina/Muscat Medal at the conclusion of the game.
Hyundai A-League 2012/13 Season – Round 2
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Friday, 18 October 2013
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-off: 7:00pm local (8:00pm AEDT)
Referee: Alan Milliner
TV: Live coverage on FOX Sports 1HD and SBS 2
Radio: Live coverage on ABC 891 Adelaide, ABC Local Radio South Australia, ABC Local Radio Tasmania, Grandstand Digital, online at www.abc.net.au/grandstand and on the Grandstand Smartphone App
Twitter: https://twitter.com/adelutd_fc (hash-tag #ADLvMVC)
Tickets: Available through Ticketek (call 132849, online at www.ticketek.com.au)
Adelaide United squad: 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK) (c), 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Osama MALIK, 7. JERONIMO, 9. Sergio CIRIO, 10. Marcelo CARRUSCA, 12. Antony GOLEC, 13. Steven LUSTICA, 14. Cameron WATSON, 16. Daniel BOWLES, 17. Awer MABIL, 18. Michael ZULLO, 19. Jake BARKER-DAISH, 21. Tarek ELRICH, 22. Fabio FERREIRA, 23. Jordan ELSEY, 24. Brent McGRATH, 30. John HALL (GK) (two to be omitted)
Ins: 12. Antony GOLEC, 14. Cameron WATSON, 19. Jake BARKER-DAISH, 23. Jordan ELSEY, 30. John HALL (GK) (all promoted)
Outs: 3. Nigel BOOGAARD (suspended – 1 game), 8. ISAIAS (suspended – 1 game), 20. Paul IZZO (GK) (omitted)
Unavailable: CASSIO (quad – 3-4 weeks), Bruce DJITE (ankle – 4-5 weeks)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Nathan COE (GK), 3. Adama TRAORE, 4.Nick ANSELL, 5. Mark MILLIGAN (c) 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Gui FINKLER, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Connor PAIN, 13. Andrew NABBOUT, 14. James TROISI, 15. Mitch NICHOLS, 16. Rashid MAHAZI, 17. Jimmy JEGGO, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 23. Adrian LEIJER, 24, Scott GALLOWAY, 25. Jason GERIA (two to be omitted)
Ins: 5. Mark MILLIGAN, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES (return from international duty)
Outs: 2. Pablo CONTRERAS (suspended – 2 games)
Unavailable: Nil
Adelaide United vs. Melbourne Victory – Hyundai A-League HEAD TO HEAD Record
Played 30 – 10 wins, 5 draws, 15 losses
At Coopers Stadium
Played 12; Adelaide United 6, Melbourne Victory 4, Draws 2
Last time they met
8-Feb-2013 Week 20, Hyundai A-League 2012/13 Season at Hindmarsh Stadium
Adelaide United FC 1 (Neumann 43-)
Melbourne Victory 0
