Adelaide United coach, Josep Gombau, said his side won’t complain about fixture lists and won’t use them as an excuse, with one of the most important aspects of football being to prepare for each game as it comes.
Ahead of United’s Round 6 clash against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday afternoon at Coopers Stadium, Gombau has declared his side strong and fit enough to take on the New Zealand outfit, despite only a two day turnaround from our Westfield FFA Cup semi-final win against Central Coast Mariners.
“Of course, the days that we have been playing games have not been the best, but we can’t complain,” Gombau said.
“We need to play a good game (against Wellington) and I think that the team is okay. Yesterday we just had recovery, but today (Friday) we had a longer session thinking about tactics.
“Normally, if you are getting results you are okay mentally. The problem (with fatigue) is when you need to play a lot of games and the results don’t come – then the more tired you can be.
“But if the results are coming, it’s something that brings to you more power to play.”
Speaking with regard to Phoenix, Gombau praised their efforts so far this season, claiming they seem to have improved with three important wins early on in the campaign.
And although the visitors will have numerous players on international duty, Gombau believes this won’t necessarily prove to be advantageous for his side, as Wellington would have most likely prepared for this type of situation.
“Wellington are a good squad and they are doing well having won three games, but also us. We are doing well and will be playing at home, so we need to have our winning mentality and try and win the game.
“Teams like Wellington, that have (a lot of) players who play with New Zealand, when they make the team, they would have had this already in their mind.
“From watching their last game, they might have just two changes from the eleven they last played (with). But this is not important for us. We will play eleven against eleven and if their players are in their squad it is because they are good.
“The will come (to Coopers) and they will be competitive and be a good team that we have to respect a lot.”
Adelaide United take on Wellington Phoenix on Saturday 15 November 2014, at Coopers Stadium in Round 6 of the Hyundai A-League 2014/15 season. Kick-off is at 4.30pm ACDT. To purchase tickets, click here.
Saturday, 15 November 2014
Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Kick-Off: 4:30 PM (Local) (5:00 PM AEDT)
Referee: Strebre Delovski
Assistant Referee 1: Brad Hobson
Assistant Referee 2: George Lakrindis
Fourth Official: Rick Schneider
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 (FOX SPORTS 4HD & 4) from 4.30pm (AEDT) and Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)
Radio Broadcast: 891 ABC Adelaide, Local Radio South Australia, ABC Grandstand Digital, ABC Grandstand Online/ ABC Radio Mobile phone app
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #ADLvWEL
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (c) (GK), 2.Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.PABLO SÁNCHEZ, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 14.Cameron WATSON, 16.Craig GOODWIN, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 20.Paul IZZO (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Fabio FERREIRA, 24.Bruce KAMAU, 32.Nathan KOSTANDOPOULOS
***two to be omitted***
Ins: 7.PABLO SÁNCHEZ (return from injury), 14.Cameron WATSON (return from injury), 22.Fabio FERREIRA (return from injury)
Outs: Bruce DJITE (hamstring – 2-3 weeks)
Unavailable: 11.Bruce DJITE (hamstring – 2-3 weeks), 15.Ben WARLAND (ankle – 3 weeks), 23.Jordan ELSEY (knee – indefinite)
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Glen MOSS (GK), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 6.Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH, 7.Kenny CUNNINGHAM, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9.Nathan BURNS, 13.Albert RIERA, 14.Alex RUFER, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ben SIGMUND, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (GK), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON, 31.Andrew BLAKE
***one to be omitted***
Ins: 6.Josh BRINDELL-SOUTH (promoted), 7.Kenny CUNNINGHAM (promoted), 14.Alex RUFER (promoted), 19.Tom DOYLE (returns from injury), 31.Andrew BLAKE (promoted)
Outs: 5.Michael BOXALL (international duty), 10.Michael McGLINCHEY (international duty), 11.Jeremy BROCKIE (international duty), 16.Louis FENTON (dislocated collar bone – 6 weeks)
Unavailable: 12.Tyler BOYD (international duty).15.Jason HICKS (muscle strain – 2 weeks)
