Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek targets new defender and midfielder before A-League start
Coach Gertjan Verbeek has identified the positions Adelaide United still needs to strengthen with recruits ahead of the A-League season, while a pair of Reds face late fitness tests before the FFA Cup semi-final.
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A defender and a midfielder, one of whom will come from China, remain top of Adelaide United’s shopping list as the club bids to complete its squad ahead of the A-League season.
Coach Gertjan Verbeek reiterated the need for a pair of recruits to bolster the Reds’ playing stocks, less than a fortnight out from their campaign-opener against champion Sydney FC.
The Dutchman said United also needed bolster its depth to meet the competition quota of 20 senior contracted players before the October 11 kick-off.
He confirmed Adelaide’s remaining vacant visa spot would be filled by an import from its Chinese sister club, Qingdao Red Lions.
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“We have to,” said Verbeek, when asked if the club was still seeking new signings.
“We need two (more) contracted players because we have two less (than the requirement).
“I hope (the club) is very close, but you have to ask (director of football) Bruce (Djite) and (chairman) Piet (van der Pol).
“The problems are in the midfield and in defence also, (where) we have maybe a problem because I don’t have many left-footed defenders.
“It will be a Chinese (import), so there is no spot for (other) overseas players.”
Verbeek said his side was confident, but cautious about facing a much-improved Central Coast in Wednesday night’s FFA Cup semi-final in Gosford.
He said striker George Blackwood was a chance to return to the squad, having been omitted from this month’s last-eight victory over Newcastle Jets for tactical reasons.
Wingers Nikola Mileusnic (hamstring) and Pacifique Niyongabire (ankle) would need to pass late fitness tests on Tuesday before being passed fit to travel with the cup holder.
Curacao international Michael Maria (abdominal) and new scholarship-holder Kusini Yengi (groin) had been ruled out.
“If you give them (Mariners) space and belief in a good result, they will also get a good result,” said Verbeek, who deemed Central Coast’s back-to-back wooden-spoons irrelevant.
“I think we also know a little bit how they are organised and how we can get a good result against them.
“But they’re not for nothing in the semi-final, so they will have qualities.
“I hope there is enough knowledge in the team now to look after the opponent and take care of what they have to do in our own philosophy.”
Verbeek said he had 13-14 “competitive players” rather than a best XI in mind and would continue to adjust his line-up throughout the campaign based on the opponent.
The ex-Feyenoord and FC Twente boss, who won the Dutch Cup with AZ Alkmaar in 2013, said early-season silverware would be a timely boost for his charges.
“It (the FFA Cup) is a prize.
“If you are a sportsman, you want to win prizes.
“If you are so close to the final, you have to do all that’s in you to win that semi-final.
“A lot of players never win a prize (in their careers).”
Meanwhile, Adelaide has re-signed five players for the coming W-League campaign.
Goalkeeper Sarah Willacy, defender Laura Johns, midfielders Dylan Holmes and Kahlia Hogg, and Young Matildas winger Charlotte Grant will return to the Reds for another term