Adelaide arrive in Japan quietly confident
Adelaide United will go into Thursday night’s FIFA Club World Cup match against New Zealand’s Waitakere United quietly confident, after arriving in Japan on Sunday night.
The 6-1 demolition of New Zealand-based Hyundai A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix on Friday night at Hindmarsh Stadium, has lifted spirits in the camp considerably ahead of clubs opening match of the lucrative tournament.
However while the Reds are confident they can overcome Waitakere, both Aurelio Vidmar and the players know that Thursday night will not be a stroll in the park, despite what most pundits are predicting and that with a lot to play for, it will be no easy match.
Vidmar acknowledged that Waitakere possess considerable experience with the likes of former New Zealand Knights players Danny Hay and Neil Emblen, while Jonathan Perry, Jeff Campbell and Jason Rowley have also had stints in Australia-s top league.
“We certainly need to get past the first hurdle, that-s a must,” Vidmar told the club website www.adelaideunited.com.au
“It-s not going to be an easy game. It-s 50-50 and they (Waitakere) have got a fair bit of experience having played in the competition last year, but we go in quietly confident after the result against Wellington.”
Vidmar-s team were sensational in their win over Phoenix, which has lifted them to the top of the Hyundai A-League going into their mini-break due to their commitments at the FIFA World Cup, which they hope will at least take them to a semi final meeting with English Champions Manchester United.
Vidmar says his squad will definitely not be underestimating their first up opponents, and that it will take another committed and high class performance to get the right result. If they overcome them, a return clash with Gamba Osaka, who completely outplayed Adelaide in the final of the Asian Champions League will follow.
One bonus for Vidmar is the fact that he is able to add the likes of Alameo and Jonas Salley to the squad, after they were forced to miss the Champions League campaign. With the squad also looking somewhat refreshed after enduring a lot of travel around the ACL final, it-s one game that Vidmar and the team will dearly love to play.
Kick-off for The Reds- opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup is at 9.15pm (ACDT) and can be seen LIVE & exclusive on SBS.
For further information on Adelaide-s FIFA Club World Cup journey, go to www.adelaideunited.com.au