Adelaide United FC will open its Hyundai A-League 2013/14 campaign at home after the venue was changed for the Reds’ Round 1 match against Perth Glory.
Adelaide United FC will open its Hyundai A-League 2013/14 campaign at home after Football Federation Australia today announced a venue change for the Reds- Round 1 match against Perth Glory.
The Reds- opening round encounter with the Glory on Sunday 13 October 2013 was originally scheduled to be played at Perth-s nib Stadium, however it has been shifted to Hindmarsh Stadium due to venue non-availability in Perth.
As such, Adelaide United-s following game against Perth Glory on Saturday 16 November 2013 in Round 6 has been moved from Hindmarsh Stadium to nib Stadium to make up for the change of venue to the Round 1 fixture.
The Head of Hyundai A-League, Damien de Bohun, explained the process behind the decision to switch the venue of the matches.
“Our desire has always been to unveil the redeveloped (nib) stadium with a big match. The history of the Hyundai A-League has shown that in Round 1 fans across Australia and New Zealand come out in droves to welcome football back,” de Bohun said.
“Knowing this, we scheduled the Round 1 Hyundai A-League match between Perth Glory and Adelaide United at nib Stadium in the hope that the venue would be ready in time to host this fixture.
“Unfortunately, in consultation with all parties, it is now clear that this cannot be guaranteed. As a result, we have decided to switch the Round 1 and Round 6 venues between these two clubs for Perth Glory and Adelaide United respectively.
“I would like to acknowledge the collegiate approach taken by both Adelaide United and Perth Glory in making this change,” concluded de Bohun.
Adelaide United CEO Glenn Elliott sees the greatest beneficiaries of the venue change being the club-s fans who will get to witness the team implementing Coach Josep Gombau-s new playing style first hand in the opening weekend of the season.
“While Perth Glory supporters will be disappointed not getting to see their team at home in Round 1, it presents a fantastic opportunity for our supporters to turn up in their droves to see the team live at Hindmarsh earlier than expected,” Elliott said.
“Prior to the venue shift, Adelaide United was only scheduled to play at home once in the first four rounds, so now hopefully we can make the most of having the first two games at home against Perth and then against Melbourne Victory on October 18, a match that will mark and celebrate the club-s 10 Year Anniversary.”
Any tickets already purchased for what was originally the Adelaide United home game in Round 6 will be valid for the Round 1 game on October 13.
Further to that change, FFA also released a number of other updates to the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Season Draw, which include amendments to venues, match dates and/or kick-off times.
The updates involving Adelaide United has seen the Reds- Round 11 clash against Perth Glory moved from Saturday 21 December to Sunday 22 December (kick-off 6.30pm ACDT), confirmation of United-s Round 17 match against Wellington Phoenix to be played at Eden Park in Auckland, while the Round 25 encounter between Adelaide United and the Wellington Phoenix has been changed from Sunday 30 March 2014 to Saturday 29 March 2014 (kick-off 3pm ACDT).
Updated Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Season fixtures – Adelaide United FC
Round 1 – Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Sunday 13 Oct 2013
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide (Kick-Off 4:30PM ACDT)
Note – Updated Venue & Kick Off Time
Round 6 – Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Saturday 16 Nov 2013
nib stadium, Perth (Kick-Off 5:00PM ACDT)
Note – Updated Venue & Kick Off Time
Round 11 – Perth Glory v Adelaide United
Sunday 22 Dec 2013
nib stadium, Perth (Kick-Off 6:30PM ACDT)
Note – Updated Date & Kick-Off time
Round 17 – Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Saturday 1 Feb 2014
Eden Park, Auckland (Kick-Off 5:00PM ACDT)
Note – Updated Venue
Round 25 – Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Saturday 29 Mar 2014
Westpac Stadium (Kick-Off 3:00PM ACDT)
Note – Updated Date & Kick-Off time
