Midfielder Ryan White says the club is ready to embrace the significance of its upcoming AFC Champions League Elite qualification clash, describing the fixture as a “massive night” for the Reds and a chance to return to the Asian stage after a lengthy absence.
Following last week’s disappointing Australia Cup defeat, White admitted the result fell short of the team’s expectations but says the squad has already shifted its focus towards the challenge ahead.
“As a team, we know we need to be better in these sorts of games,” White said.
“We wanted to go far as a team in this competition. It helps us through our pre-season for the A-League and for Asia, but obviously it wasn’t our night and we’ve got to move past that.
“We’ve done our analysis, we know what we need to do now to be better, and we’re ready to move on.”
The Reds experienced a similar early setback last season before going on to reach the A-League Men Semi-Finals, a reminder for White that one result does not define what the team can achieve.
“We know how good we were towards the latter end of last season,” he said.
“It is tough when these sorts of NPL clubs are in the middle of their season and we’re just starting our pre-season, but it’s not an excuse.
“We’ve got to be ready for these games, and we’ll be ready for this one coming up and for the season ahead. I’ve got no questions about it.”
Attention now turns to a significant night at Coopers Stadium, with Adelaide United set to compete for a place in continental football.
For White, the occasion represents far more than just another fixture on the calendar.
“It’s going to be like our grand final, even though it’s the second game of the season.
“To be back in Asia for the first time in a long time, and obviously for a lot of our boys it’s going to be their first time in Asia, it’s going to be massive.
“I hope we can put on our show for the Coopers Stadium crowd.”
A proud South Australian and Adelaide United junior, White understands the significance of what qualification would mean for the club, its supporters and the next generation of players.
“It would be massive,” he said.
“We can’t put it into words. Some of these teams that we’re going to maybe come up against, these big Saudi Arabian teams, Korean teams and the players that play in these teams are humongous.”
With a place among Asia’s elite clubs on the line, White says the squad is fully aware of the opportunity in front of them and is determined to rise to the occasion.
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW TO OUR AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ELITE PRELIMINARY ROUND
