Adelaide United Ninja A-League Head Coach Theo Tsiounis says the Reds have embraced a rare finals opportunity and are ready to bring the energy and intensity required for Saturday’s Elimination Final against Brisbane Roar.
With a unique break between fixtures, Tsiounis said the pause has helped the squad regroup, recover, and sharpen focus for a finals environment where key moments decide outcomes.
Tsiounis on the break and the chance to regroup…
“I think it’s been a bit of a unique situation. However, in saying that, all the teams are in the same position. On a positive note, it gives our players an opportunity to come back from injuries, regroup, and give it our best against Brisbane.”
Tsiounis on training standards and building towards Saturday…
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve had a number of girls out with various injuries, so it’s good to be able to get everyone back. Finals football is a different tournament altogether, you can’t really read too much into games going in. We’ve got to prepare the best that we can, make sure we bring that energy and intensity and quality in key moments to the game. In the last sessions before the game, we really tried to push the girls, they responded really well and the intensity and quality has been super high.”
Tsiounis on learning to reset and stay locked in…
“I think they’ll bounce back quickly. It’s part of their journey as footballers, learning to be able to keep focus and concentration. That’s what training’s for, preparing them for those moments and games.”
Tsiounis on the elimination final mindset…
“We talk about pressure being the privilege, we earn the right to have that pressure because we worked hard during the season and put ourselves in the position. The girls definitely understand the importance of key moments, whether it’s a penalty, whether it’s an action on the field, whether it’s a conversation, and all those things really matter coming into this game, because there’s no second chances. When it progresses, lose it, that’s the end of the season.”
Tsiounis on Erin Healy’s role…
“She’s such an important player for us. For me, she’s the best player in the competition. She’s got this natural ability to be able to skip past players. She had an exceptional game against Brisbane last time, so we’re hoping she can replicate some of that. She also brings to life the players around her, and she’s a top human being as well. She’s really got a bit of everything.”
Tsiounis on “winning games from your bench”…
“From the very start of the season, we talked about winning games from your bench. My mentality isn’t about you’re starting your best players, it’s about how you’re going to win the game of football. Winning a game of football isn’t always starting with your best 11, it’s about being able to change a game, impact the game, and take it to another level. Having the likes of Dylan coming off the bench, or an Izzy, or Erin Healy, or a Taranto, it just changes a game and takes us to another level.”
Tsiounis on the goalkeeping decision…
“It comes down to the opposition that we’re playing against, the game model that we have, and what we value, and then looking at those qualities and picking the person that we think is going to be right for that game. Claudia’s been super, Illy’s been fantastic, she’s a great up-and-coming talent. It’ll be tough, but we’ll sit down and work out who’s going to be the best option for this game.”
