Adelaide United’s clash with the Central Coast Mariners has the prospect of being a tricky affair for the Reds, despite the plight of their opponents.
It is something you would not normally say, particularly when Adelaide are undefeated in 10 games and the fact the Gosford club has conceded the most goals of any team this season. However, the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s fixture changes the dynamic somewhat.
With Adelaide arguably playing their most important match of the year (certainly from a financial standpoint) against Chinese heavyweights Shandong Luneng on Tuesday, the Mariners have the chance of capitalising on a weary Reds outfit – desperate to return to the tournament after a four-year absence. Substantial fiscal benefits hinge on the outcome of the Asian Champions League play-off match for the South Australians.
In a sponsorship agreement with the state government, Adelaide will receive $15,000 for the Shandong match and an additional $100,000 if they qualify for the group stage. Moreover, on top of competing with Asia’s elite, an added incentive for the club and players is the prize money on offer. For every win and draw, United will be rewarded $40,000 and $20,000 respectively, and compensated a travel subsidy of $34,200 per group stage away match.
So much of this week’s focus will of course be on the ACL, but whatever happens, it will likely drain the players emotionally and physically. Although the Mariners are the cellar dwellers of the competition, United’s busy schedule could result in Tony Walmsley’s men ending their remarkable resurgence stretching across three months come Sunday.
It is essentially a must win for Adelaide if they are intent on climbing the table and cementing a top four berth, considering Perth Glory’s purple patch of late and an intriguing battle against Melbourne Victory on 19 February. Guillermo Amor’s side cannot afford to take the bottom-placed team lightly and thus drop points. It could be viewed that the Reds dropped two points against Sydney FC, due to resting four regulars in preparation for the Champions League play-off. Had Amor started the likes of Craig Goodwin and Marcelo Carrusca, it could have altered the entire complexion of the game.
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Nothing is guaranteed in football – like most sports – it requires resolve, concentration and sound execution, but despite all that, destiny can ultimately decide the outcome. However, these three features reduce the chances of fate negatively interfering. Look no further than the recent weekend gone by, where Melbourne City were upset by a committed Newcastle Jets side 2-1. Anything is possible. The Reds should look at that game in order to prevent complacency from creeping in.
Disregarding the Mariners 4-0 trouncing against Brisbane, they have marginally improved since the arrival of ex-Liverpool and Atletico Madrid midfielder Luis Garcia. They pushed the Wanderers all the way, before succumbing to a late Brendon Santalab goal and finally won away from home with a convincing 3-1 victory versus Wellington – thanks in part to an exceptional cameo appearance from Garcia.
A replica of that performance against the Phoenix and Central Coast are worth a gamble. Key defenders Tarek Elrich (suspension) and Iacopo La Rocca (groin) are both missing for the game, making it a real litmus test of Adelaide’s strength in depth. And the fallout from the ACL match could also take its toll on the squad, forcing several to be wrapped in cotton wool, courtesy of fatigue, or worse, injured.
But for Amor’s troops to collect three points, they need to exploit the Mariners’ weaknesses. Clichéd yes. But necessary? Absolutely. It has been the Gosford club’s Achilles heel all campaign and Adelaide must take full advantage. Playing the ball into wide areas and transitioning quickly with purpose connotes the Mariners will have to play to their maximum, in attempting to thwart United’s forward movement.
A somewhat treacherous game awaits the Reds and it will be interesting to see how they recover, after the do-or-die clash. A win, albeit against the 10th-placed Central Coast, would be a true test of character and only add to their title credentials that they are the real deal.
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