Adelaide United set to face Melbourne City for fifth time since August as teams square off for A-League points and FFA Cup glory
Adelaide United is set to face Melbourne City twice in four days and for the fifth time since August, as it seeks A-League points and FFA Cup glory. But Reds winger Ben Halloran says the key to success is simple.
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Tactical secrets will be scarce when Adelaide United faces Melbourne City twice in four days.
But Reds winger Ben Halloran has backed his teammates to secure their first A-League points and silverware of the campaign, as the sides prepare for their fifth meeting since mid-August.
United travels to face the Victorian outfit in domestic duties at AAMI Park on Sunday, before facing the same opponent in the FFA Cup final at Hindmarsh the following Wednesday.
Halloran said imposing coach Gertjan Verbeek’s possession-based, attack-minded game plan would be key, after the teams had also met in three friendlies during the marathon pre-season.
“It’s a bit of a strange one,” Halloran said.
“They’re going to know our style of play and we’re going to know their style of play better than any other team in the competition.
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“It will come down to who can execute their style of play better.
“I don’t think we’re going to compromise how we want to play (and) I can’t imagine they’re going to do the same either.
“If we can execute our best football on the day, I think we can do them.”
Adelaide lost two of its trial matches against City, but recorded a morale-boosting triumph in its most recent clash with Eric Mombaerts’ new-look side last month.
The Reds will look to respond to their heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Sydney FC in Friday night’s season-opener, when they recovered from a two-goal deficit only to concede at the death.
Halloran took heart from edging possession (53 per cent) and equalling the champion’s 14 shots, despite playing the last 33 minutes with 10 men following Ryan Strain’s red card.
“I think we actually performed quite well,” said Halloran, who praised teenage sensation Al
Hassan Toure for notching his fifth goal in as many first-team outings.
“We created a lot of chances (and) it’s always promising to score a couple of goals.
“But … it’s a result driven game and to lose 3-2 like that, especially in the last-minute action, is a bit disappointing.
“The brand of football we’re going to play this year is entertaining.
“You saw that on the weekend.
“Hopefully we can get a few more clean sheets and it won’t be as dramatic every weekend.
“But the style of play is good for me and also suits a lot of the lads in the team.”
Strain will miss Sunday’s league fixture, but will be eligible for the knockout decider.
FFA’s Match Review Panel ruled he would serve a one-match suspension for his dismissal.
United appears likely to be boosted by the return of midfielder Mirko Boland for the City encounters.
The German import trained with the main group on Monday, after sitting out round one as he recovered from a hamstring injury.