Adelaide United Captain, Craig Goodwin, says the reaction he and his teammates showed against Wellington Phoenix, following a disappointing loss to Central Coast Mariners a week earlier, is just the start for the Reds.
Goodwin scored a typically classy brace for United, sending them through to a two-legged Semi Final against the Mariners.
United are yet to beat their Semi Final opponents this campaign, however Goodwin has earmarked the “hurt” felt through those two losses as key points of motivation.
Speaking post game to Paramount+, Goodwin went as far as saying the Reds are seeking out “revenge” for the manner in which they’ve lost to the Mariners – but was quick to outline how that revenge must used to fuel necessary in-game sacrifices to make the Club’s first Grand Final since 2015/16.
Goodwin said:
“I think it was really important for us to get a reaction after the game last week (against Central Coast).
“There was a bit of hurt in that result because I don’t think it was a true reflection of the way we’ve been going this season.
“We said to the group last week that it’s better the result against Central Coast happened (then) to give us a bit of fire in the belly.
“It’s good to build that momentum (by beating Wellington), but we need to prepare really hard for next week.
“We have to get our recovery in and be ready to go because Central Coast are a good team and they’ve been very good this year.
“We want revenge because it was a tough game last time out and even the away fixture (earlier in the season).
“There’s a bit there for us and I’m sure it’s going to be fiery occasion.
“But we can’t get too caught up in (revenge) because we want to use that as motivation to get the energy, to get the work ethic, and we have to focus on our game and find ways to break them down.
“The one thing we lacked last week was the desire to put in that extra effort and do the hard yards and sacrifice (for one another).
“We had that tonight and we have to bring it next week.”
Match details:
Isuzu UTE A-League 2022/23 Season – Semi Final (First Leg)
Adelaide United vs Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, 13 May 2023, Kick-off: 7:15pm (ACST)
Coopers Stadium
Isuzu UTE A-League 2022/23 Season – Semi Final (Second Leg)
Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United
Saturday, 20 May 2023, Kick-off: 7:15pm (ACST)
Central Coast Stadium
