Fourteen years of European football taught wily Socceroo Craig Moore a thing or two. But it seems nothing quite prepared him for what followed last season’s A-League preliminary final.
The 33-year-old had seen some sights yet even this old stager was taken aback by the devastation in the Queensland Roar dressing room following a heartwrenching loss to eventual champions Newcastle.
As much as his teammates would probably love to, Moore has not let them forget the pain as they prepare for Saturday night’s preliminary final clash with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Queensland suffered a blow before flying to Adelaide on Friday after exciting winger Tahj Minniecon (hip) was ruled out of the grand final qualifier, possibly signalling the end of the Gold Coast-bound winger’s career at the Roar.
Moore even boldly declared that Adelaide United were the favourites for the match, despite the in-form Roar lining up against a Reds outfit still reeling from coach Aurelio Vidmar’s sensational weekend meltdown.
Even if the confident Roar suddenly feel like underdogs when they arrive in Adelaide, Moore has a not so subtle reminder that will surely fire up his troops ahead of the biggest game in the club’s short history.
“I was in the dressing room after that game last season (against Newcastle) and it wasn’t a nice place to be,” Moore said.
“I remember saying to the boys after the game, ‘remember what it feels like’, because it’s not nice and you don’t want to go through feeling that too many times in your career.”
Asked if he had already reminded his teammates of last season’s disappointment, Moore said: “It’s been spoken about.”
While the Reds appear to be a team in disarray, on paper they look good against the Roar.
Queensland have not beaten Adelaide since November 2007.
And much has been made of Queensland’s “choke” last season at Hindmarsh Stadium when they had the chance to claim the minor premiership with a win – only for a 10-man Roar to crash to a 2-0 defeat and finish fourth overall.
But asked if the Roar held any fears playing at Hindmarsh Stadium, Moore said: “None at all.
“Last season was completely different – we were totally outplayed. That was a huge disappointment.
“It was not nice at the time and I don’t want to go through those feelings again.
“As a team we have improved on last season. (But) if we get knocked out at the same stage people say there hasn’t been any improvement so it is important that we move on.
“We will go in extremely confident, not cocky, not arrogant.
“You need to respect Adelaide. They’ve been great this season for Australian football – I still think Adelaide are favourites.”
Bookies are finding the teams hard to separate with late markets nudging the Roar ($2.45) slightly ahead of the Reds ($2.75).
No surprise then that Farina asked for the TV cameras to be switched off at training on Thursday as they went through a simulated penalty shootout.
Australian under-20 representative Isaka Cernak will start for Minniecon with Brazilian import Henrique Andrade Silva added to the bench.
© AAP 2012ADELAIDE UNITED v QUEENSLAND ROAR at Hindmarsh Stadium, 6.30pm
Head to head: Adelaide 5, Queensland 2, Drawn 5.
Last meeting: Adelaide United 0 drew with Queensland Roar 0 at Hindmarsh Stadium, Rd 16, Jan 2009
TAB Sportsbet: Adelaide $2.55, Draw $3.25, Queensland $2.55Either Adelaide United will outdo their finals series implosion of two years ago with a straight sets playoff exit, or produce the competition’s most remarkable form and mindset reversal. Aurelio Vidmar’s rant after his side’s thumping by Melbourne Victory last weekend was as out-of-character as it was out-of-control. The coach’s humiliation since has been total and you get the feeling the only way Vidmar will ever live this episode down is to guide his side past Queensland and then the Victory in the grand final – creating new history to override the old. The word all week is Adelaide have again become United and they’ve recalled previously out-of-favour Angelo Costanzo, Jonas Salley and Diego to an expanded squad as if to prove a point. Brazilian Cassio is suspended after his send-off against the Victory. Queensland are building ominously, winning their past five games and dusting off Central Coast in the knockout semi-final with a minimum of fuss. But losing young attacker Tahj Minniecon to an ongoing hip injury is a blow. Still, it would be a brave soul to tip Adelaide after the week they’ve had and the prize should they win is another clash with the Victory – a team who clearly have their measure.
Key: How will the Reds players bounce back mentally from the bashing they copped from the Victory?
Tip: Queensland Roar
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