Ersan Gülüm says his Adelaide United teammates are disappointed with their Cup Final loss but insisted the focus has already switched to Sunday night’s meeting with Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Reds went down 2-1 to Sydney FC in extra-time at Allianz Stadium after Bobo’s 111th minute header sealed the win.
Miloš Ninković had earlier put the hosts ahead before Nikola Mileusnic levelled proceedings in emphatic fashion midway through the second stanza.
Gülüm, who incidentally provided the long diagonal switch for Mileusnic’s goal, said it was an enthralling contest, but lamented his side not capitalising on their periods of dominance
“I think the viewers that watched it from the television and that were at the stadium enjoyed it,” he said.
“It was an action packed game you could call it, end-to-end football.
“We are disappointed as a team, we know we had the game there to be won, we had our chances.
“So did they but I think at the end of day, they took their chances better than we did and obviously they got the result.”
Marco says luck eluded us at key moments during the @FFACup final. #AUFC #FFACupFinal
📰 Read: https://t.co/cLZOjUww8h pic.twitter.com/quhjpEqKD0
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) November 22, 2017
The Australian-born Turkish international also believes this experience will only rally the squad closer together moving forward.
“We are a young group of boys still,” he said.
“There’s still a lot to learn, they are a more experienced team – the majority of their players have played overseas.
“Ours are still growing up, there’s some first time players this year that are getting more game time than usual and they are doing a fantastic job.
“We are disappointed but I think this will make us stronger as a group and will lead us in a better direction.”
With the Reds hosting Josep Gombau’s Western Sydney in four days’ time, Gülüm said the players have already shifted their attention to the upcoming clash.
“Now we are going to concentrate on the Western Sydney game on the weekend,” he continued.
“This game, this tournament is over, the FFA Cup is done and now we concentrate on the A-League.”
The ex-Beşiktaş defender also provided an update on his punctured lung after sustaining the injury against Melbourne Victory in Round 3.
“It’s getting there, it’s not one hundred per cent,” he stated.
“But I mean I wear protection when I’m playing so it gives me confidence to go into tackles and headers and that’s all I need.”
Adelaide United host Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 8 of the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 season on Sunday, 26 November at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 6.30pm ACDT.
