Adelaide United will play host to MetroStars in Round 8 of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues at The Parks Football Centre on Saturday.
Third-placed MetroStars will be eyeing for the three points, to add to their 14 and begin to close the gap on the top two.
However, Adelaide United will return rejuvenated and experienced from the MIC international football tournament in Spain, and will look to continue their two-game undefeated run.
Before the break, MetroStars managed a narrow 3-2 victory over the up and coming Para Hills Knights in Round 7.
Meanwhile, Adelaide United played out a 3-3 draw against Adelaide Blue Eagles and were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in what could have been a victorious send-off for the Reds.
Prolific Adelaide United winger, Blake Carpenter said the trip to Spain was an experience he will never forget and the whole team is thankful for the opportunity.
“The whole team are on a high from the trip to Spain,” he said.
“Physically, we do feel a little tired but it is nothing too bad, and it was expected due to the short turnaround of everything.
“I think the experience that we have gained was something some footballers will never get to experience, and we are all grateful for the opportunity.
“It also showed us the level of other footballers our age who are playing overseas, which was great to see.”
This week in the National Premier Leagues, Carpenter believes their performance in the tournament will help them with their campaign from now on, but they need to be consistent.
“We are definitely ready for our next National Premier League match this week.
“We were talking about it the whole way home, as we performed very well in Spain and want to continue that this week against MetroStars.
“I believe if we can continue our good form, we have a really good chance this week and in future games.
“We just have to make sure we stay consistent from here on out.”
Carpenter revealed that United have Finals hopes, and if they can keep adding up points, they are confident their dream will come alive.
“I think we have been performing very well since our game against West Adelaide, which is where we clicked and had some really good passages of play, and it has been a massive confidence booster.
“We were very unlucky not to win against Adelaide Blue Eagles last round also.
“We definitely need to keep this form up 100%, because we do want to make finals and not be that team who is clawing up from the bottom.”
The Young Reds return to action at The Parks Football Centre on Saturday, 22 April. Kick-off is 3pm, Reserves kick-off at 1pm.
