Travis Dodd is no stranger to high pressure games that have a lot hinging on the result, and the Reds skipper knows Friday night’s tussle with Melbourne Victory at the Adelaide Oval is one such encounter.
The finals may still be a week away, but tomorrow night-s showdown with the Victory is certain to give the Reds a taste of the season-s pointy end. Dodd does not need any reminders of the tension and anticipation leading up to Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory duels.
The midfielder has played more times against the Victory than any other United player, and with the intense rivalry between the teams coupled with a chance for the Reds to stitch up third spot, which would mean a second home final if they get past the first elimination game, Dodd knows there is plenty to play for.
“It is a massive game for us, being Melbourne Victory and what-s at stake for the season,” Dodd said.
“We know that the Central Coast did us a favour last night beating Gold Coast, so picking up three points tomorrow night would be fantastic for our home fans to hopefully play two home finals.”
A recent run of results which has seen United secure just one point from their last three games has some outsiders starting to possibly doubt the Reds- title credentials. However, the Reds did not get into the position of vying for third spot on the table by chance, and Dodd and his team mates are backing themselves to turn it on against the Victory tomorrow night.
“We know we-re a good footballing side and we-re confident of our abilities out on the pitch, so we-ll turn things around and it-s a massive game, so we don-t need to go out motivating each other for something like this,” Dodd said.
“We all want to win a championship. That-s everyone-s focus, to come out here and get three points against Victory and take it from there.”
Once the finals commence, every game for the Reds is a must win, and Dodd to start United-s unbeaten run from now.
“It-s definitely disappointing knowing that we were basically in the box seat for second spot and other teams didn-t take it away from us, we let go of it, but we-ve got to focus on third spot now and on three points against Melbourne,” Dodd said.
Tickets for the match are available through Ticketek. Kick-Off is at 7.30pm ACDT.
