ADELAIDE United boss Aurelio Vidmar reckons his defence are more than up to the job of keeping Sydney's Brazilian superstar Juninho at bay this weekend.
Adelaide are preparing for a fired up Sydney FC as The Reds aim to take their first-ever points away from the Sydney Football Stadium.
Despite scoring in all four encounters, The Reds have returned to Adelaide without a result each time and will be determined to turn the tables.
Fully aware of United’s point’s drought in Sydney, Vidmar believes there is no better time for his team to get a result.
“Records are there to be broken so it’s a very good opportunity for us. We’ve always scored there and even on occasions hit the lead but we’ve just faded late,” Vidmar said.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, it’s another game, another challenge for us and we’ll just see who is the better side on the night.”
Vidmar has kept faith in the team that drew with Queensland in Round 1 by taking an unchanged squad into the game, with Olyroos duo and last weekend’s goal scorers Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite again leading The Reds attack, while marquee striker Paul Agostino will start on the bench.
“Ago had 30 minutes last weekend and he won’t start and hopefully we can give him something similar and within the next couple of weeks with more training within the group he will be ready for a start,” Vidmar said.
The match will be a terrific opportunity for The Reds as they confront a Sydney FC team that lost at home to the Central Coast Mariners last weekend and had just one win in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup.
However, teams are always dangerous when they are down and Vidmar knows that Sydney FC will provide a massive challenge.
“We’ve got to be wary of Sydney, they’ve got some fantastic players in their side and there are a whole heap of players who are extremely dangerous, especially going forward,” he said.
Despite a Sydney attack including Juninho, Alex Brosque, playmaker Steve Corica and new signing Patrick, Vidmar believes his defence can do the job and shut down the home side’s options.
“They’ve been quite solid, I’ve been reasonably pleased with the defence," he said.
"I’ve been happy with the shape, the structure and the discipline they’ve kept over the last four or five weeks.”
Despite scoring in all four encounters, The Reds have returned to Adelaide without a result each time and will be determined to turn the tables.
Fully aware of United’s point’s drought in Sydney, Vidmar believes there is no better time for his team to get a result.
“Records are there to be broken so it’s a very good opportunity for us. We’ve always scored there and even on occasions hit the lead but we’ve just faded late,” Vidmar said.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, it’s another game, another challenge for us and we’ll just see who is the better side on the night.”
Vidmar has kept faith in the team that drew with Queensland in Round 1 by taking an unchanged squad into the game, with Olyroos duo and last weekend’s goal scorers Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite again leading The Reds attack, while marquee striker Paul Agostino will start on the bench.
“Ago had 30 minutes last weekend and he won’t start and hopefully we can give him something similar and within the next couple of weeks with more training within the group he will be ready for a start,” Vidmar said.
The match will be a terrific opportunity for The Reds as they confront a Sydney FC team that lost at home to the Central Coast Mariners last weekend and had just one win in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup.
However, teams are always dangerous when they are down and Vidmar knows that Sydney FC will provide a massive challenge.
“We’ve got to be wary of Sydney, they’ve got some fantastic players in their side and there are a whole heap of players who are extremely dangerous, especially going forward,” he said.
Despite a Sydney attack including Juninho, Alex Brosque, playmaker Steve Corica and new signing Patrick, Vidmar believes his defence can do the job and shut down the home side’s options.
“They’ve been quite solid, I’ve been reasonably pleased with the defence," he said.
"I’ve been happy with the shape, the structure and the discipline they’ve kept over the last four or five weeks.”
Related Articles
Bayern's plan to fast-track teen star Irankunda into first team squad
Last Socceroos World Cup home qualifier location confirmed
