Amber Brooks warns Adelaide United Women will need to be wary of Western Sydney Wanderers Women’s pace in attack in their Round 1 opener at Marconi Stadium on Thursday night.
The United States centre-back, who returns for her second season in Red, has also been entrusted with leading the team as Captain.
Brooks believes the squad is travelling well even if preparations have been challenging with players away on international duty.
“I think we’re doing really well obviously it’s always a challenge in the beginning getting all the international players in,” Brooks said.
“And obviously we have had a few players away with the Young Matildas but it’s good that we’ll all be together this week leading up to Thursday’s game.
“And I think we have the experience of the core of us playing together last season so that should help us.”
The centre-back was certain the Wanderers will be a much-improved outfit from the team that finished bottom of the table last season.
Western Sydney have strengthened considerably with the arrivals of United States forwards, Lynn Williams and Kristen Hamilton, and Irish international Denise O’Sullivan all from North Carolina Courage.
Matildas midfielder, Amy Harrison, is also a new addition along with her Washington Spirit teammate, Sam Staab among others.
However, they will be without Williams and O’Sullivan due to their respective commitments with the United States and Ireland.
“They struggled last season, they brought in some really good recruits especially some very dangerous and threatening American strikers,” she explained.
“So we have to be aware of them at all times, obviously pace is a really dangerous asset in this league and they’ve a lot of that.
“So looking forward to a really tough game to open it up, but again the first couple of rounds are always challenging for every team until they get their team sorted.”
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However, despite the prospect of facing a formidable strike force, Brooks revealed she is relishing the challenge and one of the main reasons of returning to Australia was to compete against some of the best players in the world.
The 28-year-old added she is naturally more comfortable heading into her second campaign with Adelaide.
“I think just knowing my teammates, what their strengths are, how to get the best out of them,” she said.
“Obviously more familiar with Ivan and the assistant coaches and you know it adds a little bit of a challenge in that every team is different depending on the recruits they bring in.
“I’m a player that really likes to scout my opponents and know their strengths and know how they’re going to play against me.
“I know I’m in for a tough match up on Thursday night with their strikers but that’s again why I wanted to play in this league, is to play against the best players in the world.”
Brooks said the key to achieving their target of playing finals football is to take it one match at a time.
“That’s our team goal,” she continued.
“I think all of us that signed on with this team know that that’s what we’re looking for.
“You’ve to take it one game at a time and obviously focus on Round 1 Thursday.
“If you simplify it, we have to pick up some points away and then we have got to win our home fixtures and we’re in a good position.”
Adelaide United Women face Western Sydney Wanderers Women in Round 1 of the Westfield W-League 2019/20 season on Thursday, 14 November at Marconi Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.00pm ACDT. Live and Exclusive on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and the My Football Live App.
