The match has added spice with former United coach John Kosmina making his first trip to the city in charge of another A-League club, although Vidmar was quick to down play the significance.

“Generally you don’t worry too much about who is on the other side but obviously Kossie has had a massive part to play with the success of Adelaide United,” said Vidmar.

“Obviously it’s a game he’d love to win, one we’d love to win as well and really it doesn’t go any further than that.”

“It’s 11 v 11 and it’s all about winning. It doesn’t matter what happens, you’ve just got to do what you can to win.”

The Reds have been gearing up for the game with a few training sessions at the ground and are unfazed about playing such an important match on an unfamiliar surface while Sydney will reportedly have only the warm up to get acquainted with the turf.

Although that advantage may play into United’s hands the Reds are again missing key personnel with Shaun Ontong joining Paul Agostino and Nathan Burns as long term casualties.

With that in mind there have been concerns locally and interstate that players could be severely injured with the match falling between two South Australian Redbacks cricket games.

“We’ve spoken to Les Burdett (groundsman) on a number of occasions and he assures us it will take a stud right through that cricket pitch so it shouldn’t be a problem. In terms of player safety there shouldn’t be an issue.”

“I could walk across the road and get injured, that’s how it is,” Vidmar said. “Knowing our players, they sneeze they’ll be injured.”