Guillermo Amor and Dylan McGowan have highlighted the current form of the Wanderers ahead of the Reds’ meeting with the current league leaders, but have stated United feels no fear in challenging Western Sydney and are confident of causing an upset.
Adelaide United will today travel to New South Wales to face the current Hyundai A-League leaders, the Western Sydney Wanderers, on New Year’s Day.
With both sides in good form, United enjoying a four game unbeaten run while the Wanderers are unbeaten in nine matches, Pirtek Stadium is set to welcome the new year with a bang.
Speaking about the Reds’ opponents, United Head Coach, Guillermo Amor, explained how a consistent collective effort by the Wanderers has ensured their competitiveness this season.
“The Wanderers’ players (are versatile) and they have a number of quality individuals, but the most important thing about Western Sydney is them as a group,” Amor said.
“We know some of their Spanish players and coach, but we also know how closely the team works together.
“They play as a team and this is a big reason why they are doing so well. At the start of the season, they had a little bit of trouble, but after that they continued to win.
“The mentality of the Wanderers players is very good and at home they are very strong (in particular). Tomorrow will be a good game because Western Sydney are a good team.”
Having already played out a 1-1 draw at Coopers Stadium earlier this season in Round 2, the Reds have a good understanding of Western Sydney and aren’t going into the match unaware of the threats they pose.
Nevertheless, Reds defender, Dylan McGowan, has said a lot has happened since then and United are confident of being able to cause an upset against the Wanderers.
“Western Sydney are the benchmark of the competition so far and it’s a great opportunity for us to go over there and test how far we’ve come,” McGowan explained.
“With our first two games of the season (against Melbourne Victory and the Wanderers), I think we were quite good defensively and we just weren’t clicking up front. Then we went the opposite way and we weren’t clicking at the back, but we’ve starting to hit our straps the last couple of weeks.
“(Keeping clean sheets in recent weeks) has been good for the entire team because defending is an entire team’s effort. When we were conceding goals, it wasn’t just the back four (at fault).
“Now that we’re stronger defensively, everyone’s changed their mentality and we’re defending from the front, which makes our job (as defenders) a lot easier.
“Western Sydney are a good team and they’re in a great position in the league, but we don’t fear going over there and getting a result.
“We’ve shut down a few good attacking sides in our recent games and we’ll be hoping to do the same this week.”
To view Adelaide United’s squad for their match against Western Sydney Wanderers, click here.
Adelaide United will face Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 13 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season on Friday, 1 January 2016 at Pirtek Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.10pm ACDT.
