Adelaide United will be up for another challenge, when they will be tested by the reigning champions, Campbelltown City, in Round 4 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre.
A developing Adelaide United squad is yet to register their first three points of the new season, and were subsequently sent to the bottom of the table. Although, in what has been a merciless start thus far, it has been a good opportunity to learn from the experience.
The Young Reds last locked horns with the Red Devils back in 2016, in a 1-2 battle, and again in Round 21, also losing 0-2.
In Round 3 of the National Premier Leagues, United were outclassed by Adelaide City, in a 1-7 defeat. While Campbelltown City recorded their first three points with a 4-2 win over Para Hills Knights at The Paddocks.
Adelaide United Head Coach, Huss Skenderovic, said the defeat last week was a learning curve for the Young Reds, to distinguish the level of football they need to be at for the competition.
“The boys were really disappointed with last week’s result against Adelaide City, and I think it is a learning experience,” Skenderovic said.
“This is where the level is at, and that’s where we need to be, so hopefully that will be a good incentive for them to keep working harder on their game and know where they need to be at.
“That is the positive to take out of it, because it is about development for us and to see where other senior footballers are at, it is a good learning curve.
“Players had moved on from the NPL to the A-League and so forth, and that is the quality of footballers we are competing against.”
Another good incentive for the team is former Red, Johnny Koutroumbis, who is currently playing for Hyundai A-League club, Newcastle Jets.
“In hindsight, when they see players like Johnny (Koutroumbis) playing in the A-League and developing, it will give them a good incentive.
“A lot of the boys know Johnny, and what type of person and player he is, so it is important for them to use those types of characteristics to help with the progression of their football, to that senior level.”
Skenderovic respects upcoming opponents, Campbelltown, and believes his side must concentrate while they are without possession.
“With a team like Campbelltown City, they can play quality football and can be physical, so we have to keep adapting to the environment of when it is physical,” Skenderovic continued.
“We have looked very good with the ball, and we look dangerous, and created opportunities, as we could have been up by two goals in the first half against Adelaide City.
“But how we cope with defensive responsibilities, physically and technically, is something that we need to work on, especially against Campbelltown this week.”
