Stenta – “We Feel Confident But Focused”

Adelaide United A-League Women’s Head Coach Adrian Stenta shared his thoughts ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sydney FC. Stenta discussed the team’s preparation, injury updates, and the confidence surrounding the squad as they aim for an ALW Club record.

Stenta on the week of preparation post-Western United…

“It was a tough game on Saturday. The conditions were quite hot and humid, which should actually be good preparation for this week because it’s generally humid in Sydney as well. It was a really hard-fought contest between two in-form teams, so we used the early part of the week to try and freshen up a little bit. We also put in some tactical preparation for the game on Friday night. The general health of the squad is excellent at the moment; I think we’re pretty much down to maybe one player on the injury list. Everyone else is available and in good shape.”

Stenta on updates for Emily Condon, Fiona Worts, and Dylan Holmes…

“Emily could have played last week, but because of the conditions and the illness she was dealing with, we made the decision to pull her from the squad on match day. She’s been back in full training this week, and she’s looking good. Fiona’s not far away; she’s back training with the group in a modified capacity, so we’re hoping she’ll be available for selection next week. We decided to give her an extra week to try and get herself right. Dylan’s also back to full training now, and she’s put her hand up for selection. If she gets through the week well, it’ll be fantastic to have someone of her experience and quality back in the squad.”

Stenta on the Reds blank record away at Sydney FC and the team’s approach…

“We don’t approach this game any differently. Someone made me aware of the statistic earlier this week about us not having a good record away in Sydney, but that’s just one of those things. We know Sydney plays well at home, and they have good support at Leichhardt. It’s a very good venue to play at as well. We’re looking forward to the challenge, but we’re also quietly confident because our away form this year has been excellent. We know they’ll pose a big challenge, and we’ll have to be at our best to beat them, but we feel like our best is good enough.”

Stenta on the potential club record of seven consecutive unbeaten matches…

“We’re just taking it game by game. Results are difficult to get sometimes; sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t. As I’ve said before, we want to put ourselves in a position where we give ourselves a chance to get a result every week, and I think we’ve been pretty good at doing that this year. If it goes our way, fantastic; if not, at least we’ll know we gave ourselves the best chance to get the three points.”

Stenta on Dylan Holmes’ impending return and her impact on the squad…

“It would be fantastic to have Dylan back. She’s one of our leaders and one of our most experienced players. She’s great to have around the group, and she brings so much positivity. I haven’t even mentioned how good a footballer she is yet! The impressive thing about this year is that we’ve had our captain and vice-captain out for the whole season so far, but players have stepped up into leadership roles, and others have taken on significant roles in the team. It’s been a real squad effort. I have no doubt that if selected, Dylan will bring some quality and experience back to the group, but it’s important to acknowledge all the hard work that everyone has put in during the absence of our leaders.”

Stenta on Izzy Hodgson’s recovery and her return to training…

“We’re hopeful that Izzy will return to training very soon. She’s still ticking a few more boxes, but she’s been out at training a lot more and is more involved with the group, even though she’s still following her own program. She’s inching closer to being available for selection, which would be fantastic because we know the leadership she brings and what she can offer on the pitch. Hopefully, that happens soon, and it’ll create even more headaches for me in terms of squad selection!”

Stenta on Erin Healy incredible goal against Western United…

“Erin’s goal was incredible. She picked the ball up halfway, turned the player easily, and then just dribbled half the length of the field. She managed to hit it in amongst three defenders and score. She’s number one in the league for successful dribbles, and you can see why. We know she has that ability, and when she gets it right, she’s an excellent finisher. It was fantastic to see it live, and I’m glad that a lot of people were there to witness it. Next time we’re at home, we encourage as many people as possible to come out and watch because moments like that are what you’ll see. Erin has been fantastic for us, and she’s a very difficult player to manage for any opposition. I’m concerned for the players who have to face her because she’s got so many qualities.”

Stenta on Healy’s form since joining Adelaide United…

“Erin’s form hasn’t surprised me. I flagged her as one to watch before the season started based on what we saw in the film before we signed her and also in preseason. So, she’s pretty much lived up to what I expected. She’s a fantastic player, and I think she has the ability to really tear the league apart in the second half of the year and be a standout player in this competition. She’s doing really well.”