Adelaide United Captain, Michael Jakobsen, spoke about the importance of practicing good hygiene amidst the COVID-19 outbreak and believes the Reds can still turn their season around.
The Reds have a bye this weekend before they are expected to face Melbourne City in Melbourne next Friday night with Hyundai A-League action continuing as matches will be played behind closed doors because of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Danish centre-back said the team has trained well this week and will now enjoy a three-day break.
“We have trained pretty hard and everyone is looking forward to this little mini break we are getting here,” Jakobsen said.
“It’s a little bit about being mindful of what you do now. Don’t get around too many people but it’s good to have a bit of family time before we have to play interstate.”
He said players have taken precautionary steps to avoid contracting the virus, such as social distancing where possible.
“It’s about being mindful so no one gets it,” he said.
“And we are all doing what we can with not getting too much in contact with each other out on the training pitch and in the changeroom.
“We are not taking any risk so I hope everybody is doing the same now with the weekend off and nobody comes back feeling ill after three days off.”
Adelaide sit in seventh spot on the table, level with Western United on 27 points but have played one extra game.
Jakobsen admitted the squad is remaining optimistic of securing a finals berth, though added it is time they put their words into practice.
“There’s still five games left, so fifteen points to play for,” the 34-year-old said, after the Reds have lost their previous four games.
“And we’re going to do everything we can to get into finals obviously.
“I know the whole group has a strong belief that we can turn this around so we need to start showing it on the pitch as well.
“It’s one thing to believe we can do it, but we have to show it when we get out there.”
Jakobsen said the team is happy to do whatever is necessary to try and finish the campaign while it is still deemed safe to do so.
“We are trying to do what we can to try and get ahead of this virus,” he continued.
“So I know all the boys are happy to do what they have to do to get to the end of the season without postponing it or before everything gets shutdown if that might be a case here.
“So we can get it done and stay healthy at the same that will be the main objective.”
