Joshua Smits believes Adelaide United’s strong start to its AFC Champions League Two campaign has given the Reds an important boost ahead of Sunday’s A-League season opener against Sydney FC.
United enters the new domestic campaign with six points from its opening two matches in Asia, and Smits says the performances have reinforced the belief that has been building within the group throughout a long pre-season.
“I think it gives us a lot of confidence,” Smits said.
“If you manage to get six points in the first two games in Asia, with good games as well, it gives a lot of confidence.”
Those results have been particularly satisfying after a challenging beginning to the Reds’ competitive schedule.
Smits said the playing group never lost belief in the work being done behind the scenes, even when early results did not reflect the progress they felt they were making.
“It didn’t help that we started with a loss in the Champions League Elite play-off and with the Cup game,” he said.
“But we knew we were training well and we had good weeks.
“We knew we were better at a certain point than we were in the beginning, so it really helps that we could show it now in those Asia games.”
The two AFC Champions League Two fixtures have also provided useful preparation for the challenges Adelaide could face domestically.
Smits pointed to opponents sitting deeper and allowing United to control possession, something the Reds have spent considerable time working through.
“I think we worked on that because if you saw the games against the Asian teams, they did something similar,” he said.
“They gave us the ball. They didn’t press the goal kicks, they just waited and waited for their chances.
“So I think we’ve had some great games to practise that.”
While the Reds continue to build towards full strength, Smits is confident in the depth available within the squad.
And as one of the more experienced players in the group, the Dutch goalkeeper sees an important role for himself in helping Adelaide’s younger players when opportunities arise.
“We have a big squad with a lot of players,” Smits said.
“They’re also young. Can you always rely on them for 30 or 35 games? Probably not. But can we rely on them for a couple of games, and can they grow into the season? Yeah, for sure.
“We, as some of the experienced guys, need to help those guys when they have to play.
“That’s also my job, to lead from the back, help them and prepare them.”
Smits himself heads into the new A-League season with confidence.
He produced an important save during United’s latest Asian victory and says those moments are exactly what he wants to provide for his teammates.
“That feels amazing,” he said.
“You want to stay cool and calm, but sometimes you want to celebrate like the boys.
“That’s my job. I try to be a reliable goalkeeper and give the team some confidence.
“You always hope for that one moment, and then you have to be ready for that moment.”
Now in his second season in Adelaide, Smits also feels increasingly comfortable with his surroundings.
“You know what to expect,” he said.
“You know your teammates, you know the staff, you know the Club, you know the people.
“So yeah, it is easier. For sure.”
The Reds have returned from their latest Asian trip with time to recover before turning their full attention to Sydney FC.
Smits said the squad handled the travel well and will now use the remainder of the week to prepare for the league opener.
“We have two days to recover, to relax, and we can prepare fully until Sunday,” he said.
“It’s not too bad actually.”
And despite plenty of excitement building around some of the major fixtures later in the season, Smits is keeping his focus firmly on the immediate challenge.
“I truly believe you have to think week by week, game by game,” he said.
That approach has already served the Reds well in Asia.
Now, with confidence growing and the A-League season about to begin, Smits and his teammates are ready to carry that momentum into Sunday.
