Isabel Hodgson is confident Adelaide United can respond against Canberra United in Round 2 of the A-League Women 2021/22 season at Marden Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Reds suffered a 5-1 loss in their opening round match to reigning champion Melbourne Victory last weekend.
A series of errors in the first-half saw United trail 4-0 at the break.
“I think firstly it’s not good enough,” Hodgson admitted.
“Obviously it’s never good to lose and it’s never good to let five goals in.
“It wasn’t a performance that reflected us as a team and we’re really hoping to bounce back.
“We’ve been training really hard and looking to turn around the start of the season.”
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Adelaide themselves had several good chances in the end-to-end contest.
Hodgson acknowledged while it was a case of too little too late, they did show signs of improvement in the second-half.
“I definitely saw some positive signs,” she said.
“Obviously the second-half, we got a goal and they got a goal.
“So it was a draw in the second-half, but obviously if you let three easy goals early off in the first-half it’s very hard to come back from.
“We still had really good moments of play and we just need to make sure we don’t make any mistakes because Melbourne Victory did pounce on the mistakes we did make.”
Canberra suffered a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Melbourne City to begin the campaign.
The 25-year-old expected a tough game but stressed they must come out all guns blazing to make a statement and try to get their season back on track.
“Canberra is always a tough team,” the defender said.
“It always usually comes down to which team is performing best on the day.
“We’re quite similar teams. Playing at home is going to help us a lot.
“But we really have a point to prove and we’re going to come out strong and prove to the league that we’re a team to be reckoned with.”
Although Hodgson’s first game as captain did not go according to plan, she said it was still an “amazing feeling” and added tasting victory after heartache is a lot sweeter.
“It was an amazing feeling leading the team out there,” said the newly appointed skipper.
“Obviously not the result you want as your first game as a captain.
“Football is never easy so I’d rather be tested now as the captain and not have it too easy.
“So if we can bounce back from this and I can lead the girls to a victory on Sunday it will feel really great.”
Match details:
Sunday, 12 December vs Canberra United
Liberty A-League 2021/22 – Round 2
Kick-off 6.00pm ACDT
Venue: Marden Sports Complex
Stream: Paramount+
