Adelaide set for top of the table block in Melbourne
Adelaide United FC faces the old enemy Melbourne Victory tomorrow night at the Telstra Dome a postponed Round 15 fixture, in a top of the table clash which could well decide this season’s Hyundai A-League Premiership.
Just days after overcoming Sydney FC at the Adelaide Oval, The Reds venture across the boarder to face their arch rivals in the first ever Tuesday night encounter in the Hyundai A-League, and it could not get much bigger, as United look to extend the one point gap between their closest rivals.
After the triumph over Sydney, United Coach Aurelio Vidmar said the next couple of weeks, with United to play two catch up matches during this period, would shape The Reds- season, and he is not afraid to build up the importance of tomorrow night-s clash, saying it is a massive game for both clubs.
“We-re going there to win. We set ourselves to win every game and this one is going to be no different. Apart from the ACL and Club World Cup, I don-t think we-ve played such a significant game as this one tomorrow night so it will be a good test for us,” Vidmar said after the team-s training session at Hindmarsh Stadium this morning.
“If we can win the next couple of games it will put us on a pretty good footing to finish first or second.”
United-s only injury concern from the Adelaide Oval match is defender Scott Jamieson, with Vidmar to make a final decision on his star left back tomorrow afternoon prior to kick-off.
Reds midfielder Kristian Sarkies returns to Melbourne to face his former side for the first time, the 22 year old having not played at the Telstra Dome since the 2006/07 Grand Final when he scored against Adelaide United. The Qantas Under 23s midfielder says he is not feeling nervous about preparing to take on his former teammates.
“It will be my first game back against Melbourne at the Telstra Dome so all of my family and friends will be there so I-m looking forward to it,” Sarkies said.
“It-s not ideal in terms of preparation but that-s the way it is so we-ve got no issue with it and we just have to get on with it.”
“They-ve always been pretty close affairs apart from the grand final so we-re looking to it being another close, fierce encounter as they always are against Melbourne.
The Telstra Dome surface has been a talking point since Melbourne and the Queensland Roar faced off at the venue on Friday night just two nights after the pitch had been used a dance floor for 40,000 New Years Eve partygoers.
While he admits the surface looks less than ideal, Vidmar says his side will aim to make the most of whatever the pitch conditions are come kick-off.
“That-s going to be the pitch provided to us and we-ll just go on there and try to play the best of our abilities, there-s not much we can do about it,” Vidmar said.
With the blockbuster against Melbourne starting off three games in seven days for The Reds, this hectic January stretch at the business end of the season will go a long way to determining if Adelaide United has what it takes to be crowned 2008/09 Premiers.
Kick-Off at the Telstra Dome is at 7.00pm (ACDT) and the match can be seen LIVE on Fox Sports 1 and heard on 92.7 Fresh FM.