After a long pre season, the day for Adelaide United FC to put on show the much publicised new playing style Head Coach Josep Gombau has brought to the table in the Hyundai A-League has finally arrived.
After a long pre season, the day for Adelaide United FC to put on show the much publicised new playing style Head Coach Josep Gombau has brought to the table in the Hyundai A-League has finally arrived.
The Reds host Perth Glory at Coopers Stadium on Sunday afternoon to wind up the opening round of the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 Season, a campaign that has been one of the most highly anticipated in Adelaide for many a year following Gombau-s appointment to the top job.
Adding to the hype has been the encouraging form the Reds have shown in their pre season matches, and now it is down to the serious business of securing three points at home against a Glory side that has also taken on and adopted a different and unique playing style under coach Alistair Edwards.
As well as it being Gombau-s first time coaching in the Hyundai A-League, fellow Spaniards Isaias and Sergio Cirio are also in line to make their debut in Australia-s premier competition.
Others in contention to make their official debut in an Adelaide United shirt on Sunday include Steven Lustica, Michael Zullo, Tarek Elrich, Jordan Elsey and Brent McGrath, with Gombau set to narrow his squad from 18 to 16 by game day.
Regardless of which players are given the nod to take part in the game, Gombau has no doubt they can do what is required.
“Honestly I think everybody can do well. I have confidence with the list that I have…and the 16 players that end up in the team on Sunday can do well,” Gombau said.
“I want everybody to play hard, bring his 100 per cent to every game, and if you do this, normally things are good, but there-s also the other team trying to do the same thing.”
“We will play different from how the team played before (in previous seasons). But if you ask me if it is enough time to play the way I want to play then no. I think we can do a good job but I think the team will perform better in 2-3 months.”
Just days out from Sunday-s encounter, the Reds coach said he was not feeling any nerves, but rather an excitement that he says should come with every game.
“No because I enjoy every day my job, I cannot be nervous for this,” Gombau replied when asked if he was nervous.
“For me what is important is the job that you do and Sunday is a game, we need to enjoy it and I hope that the people that come to the stadium also enjoy it.”
Hyundai A-League 2012/13 Season – Round 1
Adelaide United v Perth Glory
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-off: 4:30pm local (5:00pm AEDT)
Referee: Ben Williams
TV: Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD
Radio: Live coverage on 891 ABC Adelaide, 720 ABC Perth, ABC SA, Grandstand Digital and online at www.abc.net.au/grandstand
Twitter: twitter.com/adelutd_fc (hash-tag #ADLvPER)
Tickets: Available through Ticketek (call 132849, online at www.ticketek.com.au)
Adelaide United Squad: 1. Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK) (c), 3. Nigel BOOGAARD, 4. Jon McKAIN, 5. Osama MALIK, 7. JERONIMO, 8. ISAIAS, 9. Sergio CIRIO, 10. Marcelo CARRUSCA, 13. Steven LUSTICA, 14. Cameron WATSON, 16. Daniel BOWLES, 17. Awer MABIL, 18. Michael ZULLO, 20. Paul IZZO (GK), 21. Tarek ELRICH, 22. Fabio FERREIRA, 23. Jordan ELSEY, 24. Brent McGRATH *two to be omitted
Unavailable: CASSIO (quad – 4-5 weeks), Bruce DJITE (ankle – 4 weeks)
Perth Glory Squad: 1. Daniel VUKOVIC (GK), 2. Jack CLISBY, 3. Brandon O-NEILL, 4. Ryan EDWARDS, 5. Steve PANTELIDIS, 6. Cameron EDWARDS, 7. Jacob BURNS, 8. Ryo NAGAI, 10. Jamie MACLAREN, 11. Adrian ZAHRA, 14. Steven MCGARRY, 16. Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES, 17. Chris HAROLD, 19. Joshua RISDON, 20. Daniel DE SILVA, 21. Scott JAMIESON, 23. Michael THWAITE, 30. Devon SPENCE (GK)
*two to be omitted
Unavailable: Shane SMELTZ (hip – 4 weeks), Travis DODD (knee – on-going), Jack DUNCAN (quad – 4 weeks)
Adelaide United vs. Perth Glory – Hyundai A-League HEAD TO HEAD Record
Played 24 – 11 wins, 5 draws, 8 losses
At Hindmarsh Stadium
Played 14; Adelaide United 8, Perth Glory 4, Draws 2
At nib Stadium
Played 10; Adelaide United 3, Perth Glory 4, Draws 3
Last time they met in the Hyundai A-League
30-Mar-2013 Week 27, Hyundai A-League 2012/13 Season at nib Stadium
Perth Glory 1 (Zahra 58-)
Adelaide United FC 1 (Barker-Daish 90+1-)
