Adelaide United signing Dario Bodrusic is committed to doing his best for his new club and says he wants to help the Reds become an even more formidable defensive unit during his tenure for the rest of the season.
Bodrusic touched down in Adelaide from Croatia yesterday before meeting his new team mates for the first time at training this morning. The central defender, who began his professional career in 2003 and has spent the majority of the time playing in his homeland, while also having a stint in Albania, confesses he never imagined his football journey would take him to Australia.
The former Croatian Under 21 international arrives with little knowledge of the Hyundai A-League, but what he has heard has been positive and he cannot wait to bring his qualities to the Reds on the field, particularly in defence.
“I never thought I-d come here and play, I never thought it would be possible but now I-ve come here and it-s very good,” Bodrusic said.
“It-s exciting but it-s my first day and I haven-t seen much so I can-t really comment yet.”
“I want to give my all for the team.”
United Head Coach Rini Coolen brought Bodrusic in during the January transfer window as cover for the departing Iain Fyfe, and the Reds boss says he ticked numerous boxes in what the club was looking for as it searched for another defensive option.
“Knowing that Fyfey was leaving us, we were looking for another player who can play as a central defender. He (Bodrusic) was available and the reason we picked him is because he-s still young, he has a lot of experience, he can play in several positions, and he-s also a left footer,” Coolen said.
“He was also available directly, so they were all of the reasons to bring him in and have a look at him…we can see how fit he is in the next couple of days but more importantly for me is we can see if he-s a player for the future.”
Still recovering from jetlag Bodrusic, who will celebrate his 28th birthday tomorrow, only trained lightly this morning, Coolen stating he is still undecided on when his latest acquisition would be introduced into the Hyundai A-League fray.
“We-ll see how it goes, see how he pulls up, and at the end of the week we can make a decision if he-s in the squad or whether we have to wait a little bit longer,” Coolen said.
The Reds returned to the track for the first time since Friday night-s 8-1 demolition of the North Queensland Fury, their focus now squarely on what is shaping as a mini grand final against the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.
A draw with Sydney FC yesterday left the Mariners in second spot a point ahead of the Reds, and with both teams having four games to play, Saturday night-s result is certain to have a massive bearing on who will secure a valuable double chance in the finals. Fourth placed Gold Coast United can also not be discounted as a top two contender, the Reds to meet the team from Surfers Paradise in a midweek fixture following their match against the Mariners.
“They (Central Coast) lost two points yesterday so everything is in our own hands. If we win all of the games then we are the number two of the league,” Coolen said.
“They will be tough games but it-s a nice challenge. That-s the way you prefer to play professional football and if you play for the best positions, there-s pressure every week. It-s all about ourselves now.”
Tickets for Saturday night-s blockbuster are available through Ticketek.
