Kusini Yengi says Adelaide United is looking forward to playing in Sunday’s all-South Australian FFA Cup contest for the first time when they meet Adelaide Olympic in the Round of 16.
The Reds come into the clash as favourites but are wary of Olympic’s strengths and the fact many in the crowd will be supporting the home side.
“It’s the first time we’ve played a game against a team from Adelaide in a long time so I’m looking forward it,” Yengi told reporters at a press conference at VALO Football Centre.
Yengi expects Olympic to come out firing and knows exactly the feeling of playing against a professional outfit, given he experienced the same thing a few years ago with Adelaide Comets as someone who had aspirations of making a full-time career in the world game.
“I remember I also played against Adelaide United when I was playing semi-professional as well,” Yengi revealed.
“When you play those types of games you want to prove to the opposition that you can potentially get to their level one day and you want to show them respect as well.
“But you want to prove your point… It’s going to be a good battle.”
The striker will make his FFA Cup debut if he features in the match, having missed the Round of 32 game against Floreat Athena through injury.
He has also yet to score a goal in Adelaide with his four previous A-League goals occurring away from home.
The 22-year-old is hopeful he can get on the scoresheet on the synthetic surface, after also finding the net in a midweek friendly against Adelaide Victory.
And while the artificial pitch may be foreign to some of the more experienced players in the squad, he believed it may ironically serve as an advantage for United.
“I’ve played quite often on artificial surfaces for the youth team and back when I was playing in the NPL (with Adelaide Comets),” he said.
“But for some of the older boys they haven’t played on artificial surfaces or maybe once or twice in their life.
“So it’s going to be a good challenge and we’re going to train here tomorrow to get prepared, and the ball will move different but we’re looking forward to it.
“I think it’s going to suit our style of play. We try to move the ball fast… this is going to suit us and we’ll use this to our advantage.”
Match details:
Sunday, 17 October vs Adelaide Olympic
FFA Cup 2021 Round of 16
Kick-off 3.00pm ACDT
Venue: VALO Football Centre
Stream: Live and Free via 10 play
