Isaias Sanchez poised to set new record for most appearances for Adelaide United

A new record for most appearances for Adelaide United is likely to be set at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.

The chance to celebrate his expected record-breaking appearance for Adelaide United with a win is even more important for Spanish veteran Isaias Sanchez on Friday night considering the Reds’ poor recent form.

Having fallen out of the top six following a shocking that has included just one win in their past 11 games, the Reds are desperate to reignite their once promising season with victory over Wellington Phoenix at Coopers Stadium.

“It’s a special moment for me, yes, but the most important thing is three points,” said Isaias, who is set to make his 286th appearance in all competitions for Adelaide, which will be the most by any player in the club’s history, surpassing the previous mark of 285 set by former Socceroos goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.

“That’s the best way to celebrate. Especially in the situation we’re in right now, every game counts.”

The 38-year-old midfielder said a “little bit of everything” had gone wrong for the Reds during the their poor run, including injuries, players being away on duty with the Young Socceroos and ongoing changes to the line-up.

Isaias Sanchez is to become the player to have made most appearances for Adelaide United. Picture: Dean Martin

“We started this negative momentum, and sometimes its difficult to get out of that momentum, not because we aren’t trying hard enough, but because sometimes it’s hard,” he said.

Reds coach Carl Veart admitted on Thursday that he perhaps could have used Isaias – who joined the club in 2013 and returned in 2021 after a two-year stint in Qatar – more this season for his leadership.

Isaias has only started in seven of Adelaide’s 23 matches in the club’s 2024-25 A-League campaign and made another 11 appearances off the bench.

“Of course I’d always like to be used more and play more minutes, but I know my age as well, and I know we have beautiful talent coming through,” the 2016 A-League championship winner said.

“They are younger, they are quicker, they are very skilful, they are top players, so I cannot be critical of that.

“Carl is the one making the calls, but of course sometimes, when things are going wrong, you can use a little bit of experience from my side to help.

“Most of the time, I feel fit enough to be out there. I train hard because I want to help the team.”

Isaias was adamant the club’s recent announcement that Veart’s tenure as Reds coach would conclude at the end of the season had not affected the players despite their admiration for the former Socceroos striker.

“We love Carl. We have been working with him for a lot years, and we are behind him all the way,” he said.

Veart said the coaching saga had “possibly been a distraction” for his squad.

“But the players need to focus on doing their jobs. We’ve got three (regular season) games left, and if we win all three, we play finals football. That’s what’s in front of us,” the Reds mentor said.