Adelaide United destined to lose Eugene Galekovic to Socceroos’ Asian Cup duty

ADELAIDE United coach Josep Gombau is destined to lose skipper Eugene Galekovic to Socceroos’ Asian Cup duty before the New Year.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 19: Eugene Galekovic of Adelaide punches the ball over Joel Griffiths of the Jets during the round 12 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United at Hunter Stadium on December 19, 2014 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

ADELAIDE United coach Josep Gombau is destined to lose skipper Eugene Galekovic to Socceroos Asian Cup duty before the New Year.

Gombau said he expected Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou to pick Galekovic as one of his three glovemen for the Asian Cup squad which goes into camp on December 28, three days before Adelaide faces Wellington Phoenix on New Year’s Eve at Coopers Stadium.

Galekovic’s pending selection could mean Adelaide will miss its No. 1 gloveman for potentially 34 days if the Socceroos make the Asian Cup final on January 31.

“I think he (Galekovic) has a good chance for the Socceroos,’’ Gombau said. “He is a very good goalkeeper and he went to the World Cup and I think it will happen.”

With Galekovic destined to be absent Gombau remained confident his back-up glovemen Paul Izzo and John Hall will slot comfortably into the No. 1 spot.

Izzo is fighting to regain full fitness after suffering a calf injury while Hall has been getting game time with the Reds’ youth team.

Either keeper could play up to three A-League matches if Galekovic makes the Asian Cup cut given Adelaide will face Newcastle Jets at home on January 24 during the international tournament.

Adelaide United’s Eugene Galekovic.

“Izzo and Hall need to be ready,’’ Gombau said. “Hall is in good condition and Izzo needs to recover from injury.”

But if Gombau had his way the A-League would take a break over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Instead Gombau must prepare his side to play Sydney FC away on Boxing Day, face Phoenix on January 31 before meeting Perth Glory away on January 5. The Reds will then take a short break during the Asian Cup which kicks off with the Socceroos facing Kuwait at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on January 9.

Winger Awer Mabil is also expected to leave for trials with Netherlands club Ajax during the short Reds holiday.

“We will train from Monday until Thursday and then we’ll be ready for the game,’’ Gombau said. “It’s a normal week we will play on Friday and this is OK. We’re flying to Sydney on Christmas Day.

“It’s different for me because normally for me we have Christmas with the family.”

Gombau says Bruce Djite — who missed Friday’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle Jets away — should be fit for the Sydney clash. Djite suffered from a jarred hip after the FFA Cup final last Tuesday.

Originally published as Adelaide United destined to lose Eugene Galekovic to Socceroos’ Asian Cup duty