Coach John Kosmina is toying with returning to a two-pronged strike force as Adelaide United enter the knockout stages of soccer’s lucrative Asian Champions League (ACL).
Adelaide will carry Australian hopes in the ACL round of 16 after Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners failed to progress past the group stage.
Adelaide topped their group to secure home-ground advantage for a May 29 knockout clash with Japanese outfit Nagoya Grampus.
Kosmina said whether Socceroo striker Josh Kennedy fronted for Nagoya would be a factor in determining Adelaide’s tactics for the match.
Kennedy is due to take part in the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying camp during the week of the ACL clash.
“If Josh plays, it might change the way we go about our business,” Kosmina told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.
Kosmina has adopted a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation, but substitute striker Sergio van Dijk’s sealer in Adelaide’s 2-0 away win against Japan’s Gamba Osaka on Wednesday night gave the coach food for thought.
The Reds played much of the last half against Gamba with van Dijk partnering spearhead Bruce Djite in attack.
“I have even tossed up whether we go back to two strikers again because that aspect of it worked quite well,” Kosmina said.
“If Serg came in, it wouldn’t be at the expense of Bruce. We would play with two strikers.”
Kosmina said advancing to the round of 16 was a huge achievement, particularly given the Reds stumbled to ninth place in the A-League.
“The players understand just how big this competition is and what is at stake,” he said.
“If we can manage to get past Nagoya, even that is a phenomenal achievement.
“We have done enough now, away from home in particular, to give everyone the confidence to think that if we get into that final eight, we might be able to go a bit further.”
The Bear
Guest
I would be concerned over trying to change the system at this point. Perhaps Kozzie would rather go out now, in ablaze of glory if you will, and allow his players to get some rest before next season. Verbeek showed us in the last world cup, you change an entrenched system at your peril.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
A fit Tamada worries me more that an injury clouded Kennedy. The timings of his runs is something that can cause real grief for a high defensive line which may be needed to crowd the midfield whilst maintaining an offensive posture. Much of their effectiveness will depend on the ability of Adelaide to cut the supply from Ogawa and Fujimoto. Caravella will have his work cut out though the lighter and faster midfielders may better suit his game. The battle I am looking forward to is Djite vs Tulio. I suspect Bruce will have the better of Tulio Tanaka, especially if Tulio slips into libero mode outside of set pieces. Hopefully the Hindmarsh faithful turn out in droves as it should be a cracker of a game.