Zullo ripped Central Coast Mariners apart down the left flank in the second leg of the minor semi-final and now he has his sights set on the under-siege Reds.

Roar are full of confidence after their win but the prospect of a preliminary final at Hindmarsh Stadium sees them optimistic but taking nothing for granted.

Zullo told au.fourfourtwo.com: "When you achieve something in a match, maybe a good first touch or beating your defender then of course it raises your confidence.

"It was great to get the result we wanted and I was happy (with my own performance) but I hope that isn't my best yet.

"The coaching staff spell it out that doing it consistently is what defines a career and that's what you have to aim for.

"Hopefully I can add a few goals to my game as well."

Zullo revealed his ability to go past people is something of a mystery.

   "It's strange but I wasn't a really quick runner as a kid but I was out injured for a year when I was 16 and when I came back I had some pace," he said. "It was a surprise, a good one.

"The staff here have worked on a programme for the off-season as well (for pace) so I'll be doing that."

That is probably not what Adelaide United's fullbacks want to hear ahead of the preliminary final. Not that Zullo is expecting an easy time at Hindmarsh.

He said: "I'm not sure who I'll be up against. Maybe Alameo, maybe Mullen? I've enjoyed some good battles with Adelaide though."

The Reds have endured a difficult few days following Aurelio Vidmar's outburst but Zullo is not expecting a demoralised outfit to take to the field on Saturday.

He said: "In a way, what Melbourne Victory did to them was probably the worst thing they could have done. I think the players will want to put that right and I don't believe all the stuff that's been said will make a difference to them.

"But we just have to focus on ourselves, work hard and do everything we can to make sure we're the ones who go on to play Melbourne in the grand final. We lost at this stage last season and we want to go on this time."