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Reds raring to go in A-League opener

Oct 09, 2015
Marcelo Carrusca (right) will be crucial for Adelaide United tonight. AAP photo

Marcelo Carrusca (right) will be crucial for Adelaide United tonight. AAP photo

Adelaide United’s A-League season kicks off tonight against rivals Melbourne Victory at Adelaide Oval.

Exactly five months since they bowed out of the A-League finals in a semi-final away loss to Sydney FC, the Reds will be looking to start their season on the right foot.

Adelaide have not beaten their Victorian rivals in six consecutive matches, but their home form against the Victory will give fans hope, winning four and drawing three of the last seven games.

Kevin Muscat’s men will be confident heading into the match as reigning champions, especially after their resounding home win in the FFA Cup against the Reds in September.

Melbourne’s high press strangled United’s defence, stopping the Reds from playing their usual intricate passing game.

It’s Adelaide United’s first A-League game under new head coach Guillermo Amor, who stepped in to replace the outgoing fan favourite Josep Gombau.

Amor is confident coming into the clash, despite losing on the road last time out.

“The team is looking forward to the game and to start the league and we are very confident to get the result,” Amor said.

“(Victory) are a strong team with a strong mentality right across the field. But football is football and tomorrow is a new game and it is possible for us to win.

“When Victory play at home, they play different (to when they are away) – normally when they’re at home, in the first 25 to 30 minutes they press high on goal, but when they come to Adelaide Oval and Coopers Stadium they play different.”

The Reds will be missing two key players – regular ‘keeper and club captain Eugene Galekovic and defender Tarek Elrich – who were in the Socceroos’ squad in the World Cup Qualifier loss against Jordan this morning.

This has not fazed Amor however, who will be giving young goalkeeper John Hall his first start for the club in the captain’s absence.

“John is a young player but he is prepared for this game and to do his job,” Amor said.

“He is a professional who is hungry, who trains very hard, and who is mentally strong. He will do well.”

Amor has picked his starting 11, but was coy about who would be playing.

“It’s always difficult to choose, though – some players in the team at this moment have problems, others can play, but we have finalised a final list of 18 players.” Amor said.

“Of course it always depends on who is available but we’re all ready.”

Melbourne have also suffered at the hands of the A-League’s refusal to acknowledge the international break, missing four players to national team duty.

That being said, there’s no shortage of attacking threats for the visitors, with the likes of Gui Finkler, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Kosta Barbarouses and the deadly Besart Berisha always ready to provide goals for the reigning A-League Champions.

If Marcelo Carrusca is afforded enough space in the midfield, the Reds could be in with a serious shout, but they will need to show more guts and gusto than they did last time around.

Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory

Hyundai A-League 2015/16 Round 1

Friday, 9 October 2015

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Kick-Off: 7:10 PM

Referee: Peter Green

 

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