EXCLUSIVE: Ross Aloisi believes Adelaide United will reach the next stage of the Asian Champions League but hasn’t found the journey so far to be a pretty spectacle.
The recently retired midfielder is delighted to see Aurelio Vidmar’s men top of their group and a win over Vietnamese outfit Binh Duong on Wednesday night will push the Hindmarsh club ever closer to the knockout stage.
Vidmar’s side has yet to taste defeat in the competition and could be boosted by the return of marquee striker Paul Agostino and midfielder Kristian Sarkies for the game.
Two away victories have been hugely important for United but now they need to do the business on home turf.
Aloisi told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I am going to back Adelaide to get through to the next stage. I haven’t been overly impressed with the way Adelaide are playing but there’s no question that the ambition is there to do it.”
Aloisi would like to see Nathan Burns in a more advanced, central role for games as he sees him as a major menace to opponents.
The 34-year-old said: “He is a young player who can cause the other team real problems and I don’t think any defender enjoys having Nathan run at them.”
The former Adelaide captain, who has recently thrown his hat into the ring for the club’s National Youth League coach, also believes United are taking advantage of some less than champion marking in matches.
He said: “Robbie Cornthwaite scored with a header in the first game and they took advantage of some poor defending to score the goals in Vietnam.”
The scorer of the decisive second goal against Binh Duong a fortnight ago was Aloisi’s great friend Richie Alagich.
He said: “It was great to see him head that one in and I was so happy for him. Now he’ll want another one.”
Aloisi’s only nagging concern is that Australian sides will continue to face difficulties in Asia unless the domestic season is extended.
He said: “A lot of the other teams are into their seasons, playing regular games and that is a big advantage.”
United go into Wednesday’s game currently leading the group ahead of Changchun Yatai on goal difference.
Binh Duong have yet to register a point in the competition. Only the top team in each group progresses to the quarter-finals.
Vidmar’s side has yet to taste defeat in the competition and could be boosted by the return of marquee striker Paul Agostino and midfielder Kristian Sarkies for the game.
Two away victories have been hugely important for United but now they need to do the business on home turf.
Aloisi told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I am going to back Adelaide to get through to the next stage. I haven’t been overly impressed with the way Adelaide are playing but there’s no question that the ambition is there to do it.”
Aloisi would like to see Nathan Burns in a more advanced, central role for games as he sees him as a major menace to opponents.
The 34-year-old said: “He is a young player who can cause the other team real problems and I don’t think any defender enjoys having Nathan run at them.”
The former Adelaide captain, who has recently thrown his hat into the ring for the club’s National Youth League coach, also believes United are taking advantage of some less than champion marking in matches.
He said: “Robbie Cornthwaite scored with a header in the first game and they took advantage of some poor defending to score the goals in Vietnam.”
The scorer of the decisive second goal against Binh Duong a fortnight ago was Aloisi’s great friend Richie Alagich.
He said: “It was great to see him head that one in and I was so happy for him. Now he’ll want another one.”
Aloisi’s only nagging concern is that Australian sides will continue to face difficulties in Asia unless the domestic season is extended.
He said: “A lot of the other teams are into their seasons, playing regular games and that is a big advantage.”
United go into Wednesday’s game currently leading the group ahead of Changchun Yatai on goal difference.
Binh Duong have yet to register a point in the competition. Only the top team in each group progresses to the quarter-finals.
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