Adelaide United winger Yaya Dukuly says belief within the squad remains strong as the Reds prepare for this weekend’s Original Rivalry against Melbourne Victory, with the 22-year-old full of confidence under Head Coach Airton Andrioli.
Despite Sunday’s late loss to Brisbane, Dukuly said the group quickly shifted focus toward producing a response on Saturday.
“It was disappointing to lose like that. But the first thing this morning was to review it, get it out of the way, because there’s a game on Saturday. There’s no point dwelling on the loss now – the best thing you can do is go and win, and everyone will forget it.”
Dukuly has been one of Adelaide’s standout performers to start the season, looking sharp, dangerous and fearless each week. According to the winger, that confidence comes from those around him.
“I’m feeling real confident. I get a lot of that confidence from my teammates and the coaching staff. They have a lot of belief in me to go out there and do what I do every week. It’s pretty easy when you’ve got the backing of the whole squad.”
That confidence was on full display when Dukuly produced a rainbow flick on Sunday — a moment of skill that has since gone viral.
“I’ve done it a few times — even to a few of the Victory boys before, so they know who they are,” he laughed.
“I’ve had a fair few messages. I haven’t even gone through all of them. The media guys were saying it’s around a million views, so I’ll hold onto that.”
Dukuly says the flair in his game has been part of him since he was young, and credits coaches – past and present – for encouraging it.
“I’ve always played like that. When I was 11 or 12 in the NTC, Ethan’s dad Richie [Alagich] used to tell me I had to do a rainbow flick in the game. That’s literally where it started.
“The coaching staff here know there’s a lot of talent and flair in us boys. They want us to express ourselves when the moment’s right. That backing is massive.”
The winger also touched on his growth after returning from Europe, where limited minutes tested his resilience but ultimately shaped his development.
“I just told myself the more you work now, the more ready you’ll be when you get your chance. Maybe I wasn’t ready back then. So it was just work, work, work – and when your chance comes, you’ll be ready.”
Now, attention turns to Saturday’s Original Rivalry at AAMI Park – a fixture Dukuly needs no reminder of.
“You don’t have to say too much. We all know how much it means. No one wants to lose, and they know we’re coming for the fight. It’s going to be a big one for sure.”
With Adelaide still searching for their first away win of the season, Dukuly believes the challenge only adds hunger.
“We haven’t won away yet – I mentioned that after the game. But maybe that’s a good thing coming into this match. It makes us hungrier. You can look at it any way you want, but I see us as just as hungry.”
Dukuly grew up watching the fierce meetings between the two clubs and says the rivalry has always captivated him.
“I think all of them stick out really. I couldn’t pick one. It’s always got the passion, the fight, the heat. I love it.”
Confident, exciting, and backed by belief – Yaya Dukuly is ready for another big stage.
