Adelaide United’s most recent signing, Mate Dugandzic, believes the Reds have the quality and depth to truly challenge for the Hyundai A-League Championship this season, but the support from loyal United fans will be crucial in our pursuit for glory.
Despite only being with Adelaide United for a few weeks, Reds winger, Mate Dugandzic, says the vast quality of his new teammates is obvious, with the squad on track for another successful season this coming campaign.
Yet Dugandzic explained that extra player-passion can be created simply through continual support from United’s faithful fans, which is necessary in any championship pursuit.
“Being part of a different club in the past (Melbourne City) and coming here to Adelaide to play, I always thought the fans were very vocal, especially around the Snake Pit,” Dugandzic said.
“I always got a bit of flak and it was a difficult place to play and the fans are a massive part of that.
“I saw how great the fans were against Sydney FC (in the FFA Cup), so I can’t wait to see what the season brings and the larger support we have, the better.
“To have that wealth of support behind us is like a twelfth man on the pitch. When you’re struggling, especially, it’s always good to have the support of the crowd behind you.
“The more members of the club, the better it is for everyone because it means the club can expand and grow. Members can be part of the club this way and as players, we love to see that there are people out there supporting the club.
“This club want’s to be challenging with the best and I think we have a more than capable squad to push for the Championship this year, but to achieve that we also need people behind us.”
Reflecting on his time in Adelaide so far, Dugandzic said settling in was made easy by him knowing a few of his Reds teammates, but also the fantastic culture the club has steadily built in recent years.
“I’ve obviously only been here for a couple of weeks, but our week in Darwin gave me a chance to get to know all my teammates and now I’m just really enjoying my time here,” he continued.
“I knew a couple of the boys having played with them previously, but the culture and closeness of the entire squad is something great to be part of.
“The culture of the club in general and the boys are very inviting and I felt part of the team straight away.
“Now I’m just looking forward to (our next game) and who we’re going to play at the end of September for the quarter-finals of the FFA Cup.
“For that, we’ll have to wait and see.”
