Adelaide gets a taste of Yokohama Stadium
Adelaide United FC has trained at the Yokohama International Stadium ahead of Thursday’s FIFA Club World Cup play-off for 5th and 6th place against African champions, Egyptian side Al Ahly.
The Reds took to the field for a one hour familiarisation session at the stadium which was the home of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany.
United Coach Aurelio Vidmar has a number of players with injury concerns leading up to the match, The Reds boss signalling there is likely to be changes to the line up that ran out against Gamba Osaka two days ago.
Deciding who to utilise against Al Ahly will be a juggling act for Vidmar, The Reds looking to remain on top of the Hyundai A-League once they return to the domestic competition but also, a fifth place finish in the FIFA Club World Cup would see the club reap a significant financial benefit.
“We still have to have a look at the team we-re going to play on Thursday (because) we-ve got some injury concerns, so at this point of time it is probably not going to be our strongest team but in saying that whoever goes out there on Thursday will have to perform to a very good level to get the win,” Vidmar said at today-s media conference.
“Travis (Dodd), Cassio, Fabian Barbiero and Sasa Ognenovski could all be in doubt. They-re probably the ones with the most concern and we-re in a situation where we need to weigh up what-s the most important, this game which is important but also, we-ve still got a third of our A-League season to play.”
Of the four injuries, only Ognenovski joined the main group for training, the other three restricted to light duties. Dodd is battling a groin strain while Cassio has an ankle problem and has been suffering headaches and dizziness since he received a knock against the Wellington Phoenix just prior to the Club World Cup. Barbiero is being restricted by a calf injury with Ognenovski the most likely of the four to play at this stage.
Despite the disappointment of losing to Gamba Osaka in the Quarter Final, Vidmar says there are still a number of positives to come out of the trip, whichever way the result goes against Al Ahly.
“It has been a great experience for us for our first time in this tournament and it hasn-t been an easy road getting here so I wouldn-t call it a disappointment if we get beaten on Thursday,” Vidmar said.
“I would call it a great adventure, a great experience and we look forward to one day coming back here again.”
While it won-t be in a Semi Final clash against Manchester United, ending the tournament at the Yokohama International Stadium will be a unique and rare experience and Dodd is keen to be declared fit so he can take the field.
“It is a special occasion for the players here, it-s a prestigious tournament that we-re playing in and to play in a stadium like this, hopefully in front of a big crowd, it-s going to fantastic,” Dodd said.
“Knowing that some great players in world football have graced this pitch as well, it-s very special.”
United-s squad arrived in Yokohama from Nagoya by bullet train yesterday afternoon, and will have two more training sessions before the match on Thursday afternoon (Kick-Off 6.30pm AEDT), which will be played prior to the Semi Final between Manchester United and Gamba Osaka.
Adelaide United-s match can be seen LIVE and exclusive on SBS.