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Hiroshi Ibusuki returns to Adelaide with a Western United side chasing first win of the season

A former Adelaide United striker returns to Coopers Stadium this weekend as part of a Western United team that’s yet to win this season.

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Adelaide United coach Carl Veart is wary of the damage former Reds star Hiroshi Ibusuki can cause on Saturday night at Coopers Stadium, describing the Western United striker as one the A-League’s best “link-up” players.

Despite scoring 15 goals for the Reds last season, Japanese marksman Ibusuki wasn’t regarded as a priority retention by Adelaide, and accepted a better offer to move to Victoria to join Western United.

Perhaps having a point to prove to his former club, Ibusuki will be intent on finding the back of the net on Saturday and inspiring his new team its first win of the season.

“Hiroshi is one of the best link-up players in the league, so it’s important that we limit the opportunities that they have to play the ball into him,” Veart said.

“He’s a very good player that allows you to get out of your defensive half, so it’s important that we have good pressure from our forwards on to their defence.

“We can’t allow them to play good balls into Hiro.”

Veart urged Adelaide fans to give Ibusuki a “warm welcome” this weekend.

“He provided a great service for the club. In the two-and-a-half years that he was here, he was a delightful player to coach and a great person in the change-room as well,” Veart said.

“Hopefully he doesn’t score a goal against us, but it will be good to see him back and hopefully our fans show their appreciation towards him for what he brought to the club during his time here.”

Hiroshi Ibusuki celebrates a goal during his time with Adelaide United. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Hiroshi Ibusuki celebrates a goal during his time with Adelaide United. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Likely to have the job of taming Ibusuki will be Adelaide’s experienced Dutch defender Bart Vriends, who is set to make his A-League debut.

“There is a very good chance that Bart will start,” Veart said of the 33-year-old former Sparta Rotterdam centre-back.

“Bart has trained exceptionally well the last three to four weeks. We’ve taken our time to make sure he ticked all the boxes and he has done that.

“He could have played last week, but we’ve been holding on to him to make sure that he is 100 per cent.

“He is now at 100 per cent, so there’s a good chance he’ll start (on Saturday).

“He’ll help the defence and help the two young boys that play in front of him in midfield as well. He’s going to be a great addition to the playing group.”

The Reds are chasing back-to-back wins after last Saturday’s 4-3 away victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.

“We’re in a very good spot with the group at the moment,” Veart said.

Originally published as Hiroshi Ibusuki returns to Adelaide with a Western United side chasing first win of the season

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/hiroshi-ibusuki-returns-to-adelaide-with-a-western-united-side-chasing-first-win-of-the-season/news-story/d7a88a13d2bd5daeb7ce19b2f2eb766e