Adelaide United ready to take out Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium

SERGIO Cirio believes Adelaide United is due to deliver the festive season goods when it faces Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium on Boxing Day.

21.12.2015. Happy reds- Bruce Djite and M. Carrusca. Adelaide United training at their Playford training base near Elizabeth. Photo Sam Wundke.

SERGIO Cirio believes Adelaide United is due to deliver the festive season goods when it faces Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium on Boxing Day.

With Adelaide’s season approaching the crucial halfway mark during a crammed summer holiday A-League calendar, Cirio says the Reds are keen to get back to business.

Wretched luck — Marcelo Carrusca watched two shots hit the post, brilliant Mark Birighitti goalkeeping and a penalty which was not awarded late in the second half — saw United come home with just a point in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle Jets at Hunter Stadium last Friday.

Adelaide had 16 shots that night with nine on target for no reward.

Cirio says United will enjoy Christmas at home but the Reds must stay focused in a match which can help Adelaide move closer to the top six

“This game and a win is the most important thing for us,’’ Cirio said.

“This is our job and we can enjoy the celebrations but also knowing that we have a game on Boxing Day.

“We have to take this week as a normal week just like every other weekend in the A-League.”

With Adelaide considerably closer to having its full contingent after injuries to Osama Malik (hamstring), Eli Babalj (foot) and Iacopo La Rocca (foot) took their toll on the trio, Cirio says the added competition is healthy for a side itching to right the wrongs of a very poor start to the season.

But Cirio warned underestimating Phoenix which in November shocked Adelaide with a 4-2 win in Wellington after United took a one-goal lead in the third minute of the clash via Craig Goodwin.

Especially after Adelaide recently had consecutive home wins at Coopers and claimed its first point away from home last weekend.

Bruce Djite gets tricky. Photo: Sam Wundke.

Adelaide sits ninth but only five points separate the Reds from sixth-placed Phoenix.

“We are playing better, we are not conceding many goals like in the first games of the season,’’ Cirio said.

“Right now we are back in the battle and we have good balance between defending and attacking.

“Here at home we need to be strong and we need to get the three points.

“There’s nothing better for our supporters to see us playing at home and we are improving.

“It will be a very hard game they’re a good team, they defend well and they create good chances when they get the ball.”

Originally published as Adelaide United ready to take out Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium