The Adelaide United vice-skipper believes it is vital not to go into the new Hyundai A-League campaign on a downer.

And the best way to prevent that is to retain the Pre-Season Cup.

He also feels a touch of South American samba could prove crucial in separating the two sides.

Adelaide and Perth have already met in the group stages of the competition with United perhaps enjoying a psychological edge.

The previous meeting at Hindmarsh Stadium saw Glory take the lead through Nikita Rukavytsya but honours ended even after one of Adelaide’s new boys took centre stage.

Brazilian recruit Cassio sent a 35 metre rocket screaming into the Perth net and Dodd is tipping his colleague to just get better and better.

When asked to pick out an A-League star in waiting for the coming campaign, Dodd did not hesitate in plucking a name out of the air.

He said: “Someone to stand out this year? Cassio. He’s going to be a star.”

And Cassio proved his wonder strike against Perth was no fluke by curling a sublime free-kick into the top corner of the net in last weekend’s 3-2 triumph over Queensland Roar.

Not that one man on his own is going to guarantee silverware and Dodd knows it.

He said: “We’re all really determined, we’ve worked hard in pre-season and it would be fantastic to finish it off by lifting the Pre-Season Cup again.

“You want to go into the season in the right way and winning some silverware is certainly a positive note to start it on. You can then take that form into the first game."

He added: “Obviously Perth will be just as determined to win the game so we will need to make sure we do the right things on the day.

“We had a decent match when we played them the first time but I think we’re even more settled now and the lads are really getting to know each other.”

In terms of his own duties this year, Dodd is taking his vice-skipper responsibilities very seriously.

He said: “I think I’ve already said it’s a real honour and I’ll give it everything.

"You’re always looking to learn though and it’s good that we’ve got several leaders on the pitch.”

Adelaide United entertain Perth Glory in the 2007 Pre-Season Cup Final on Sunday. The game kicks off at Hindmarsh Stadium at 3pm.