This afternoon Adelaide United host Brisbane Roar at Hindmarsh Stadium in a do or die elimination final match.
There is a big question of Adelaide’s commitment going into this game. Will they play with effort and determination? Which player will stand up beside Eugene Galekovic?
Adelaide will come into this match with one win in the last five games.
Their last win was against Melbourne Heart at AMMI Park in Round 24 with a 2-0 win.
Last week against Perth, Adelaide never went past third gear. They only got into the match at the 90th minute thanks to a Perth turnover, which gave Jake Barker-Daish a chance to score the equaliser.
Adelaide will play a in form Brisbane Roar side who will come into this match winning their last two games against Heart and Sydney FC.
Brisbane will also be very confident with their form this season at Hindmarsh, having defeated Adelaide there in round 23 and 13 with a 1-0 score line.
Brisbane’s stand in captain Thomas Broich have been building his form in the last few games, and he is almost back to what we saw in the last two seasons.
Besart Berisha will again be dangerous upfront, as will in form defenders Ivan Franjic and Jade North at the back.
The players from Adelaide need a person to lead and inspire the teammates besides Eugene Galekovic.
Galekovic is United’s most consistent player. Week after week Galekovic pulls off the spectacular saves that has you asking “how did he do that?”
He often keeps his team in the contest singe-handedly.
Dario Vidosic and Jon McKain will need to show leadership and take it to the Roar. The Roar have the players and the finals experience to perform at this level.
I also believe that Adelaide knew they were going to play finals football back in January. The players didn’t have the same mental edge that we saw early in the season and in their Asian Champions League games last year.
Having a change of coach mid-season didn’t help. But you can never write Adelaide off as they have shown they can play when it’s needed.
Brisbane Roar will be heavy favourites and deserve to be in their current form.
Coach Mike Mulvey admitted that their form for the majority of the season has not been great, but you get the sense this team now believes they can go on the way.
I think Brisbane will be too strong into this match. They will need to capitalise on their possession and take their chances.
They must not let Galekovic be an inspiration for Adelaide because longer the game is scoreless, all Adelaide will try to do is counter-attack or score from a Brisbane turnover.
Adelaide will need to play like is their last day on earth, because if they don’t there will be no second chances and Brisbane will run all over them.
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Adelaide looked better than Melbourne did in their match. It was funny comparing the high quality Roar game, and the scrappy, desperate Victory game. Yet the Victory game was more entertaining. Brisbane a championship chance? Lucas Neill seemed to think so.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Nothing to do with history or current form or simple footballing structures?
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Probably home ground or Ladder positioning?
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
Reds players with their tackles. Makes you wonder whether Adelaide gave up at about 75 min mark, and tried to help WSW.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Nick Richardson, Roar or the supporters?
Cameron
Roar Guru
West, Besides the current obvious - final result. What made you expect a victory from Adelaide heading into the match?
Nick Richardson
Roar Guru
They got just a bit carried away.
Cameron
Roar Guru
I hope so too.
Ballymore
Guest
Thank God. The only ambush was the physical onslaught from those in red.
Ballymore
Guest
Hopefully your statement will be wrong in 5 days time.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Thankfully no ambush tonight.
Cameron
Roar Guru
The last finals match the Roar won was at Hindmarsh - the knock out final 12/13
Ballymore
Guest
The last finals match Brisbane lost was at Hindmarsh - the 08/09 Prelim.
Roarsome
Guest
Agree, things are looking good for an ambush.
Ballymore
Guest
I don't think Brisbane are the sure-things every is making them out to be. I hope the players don't have this attitude, otherwise things will get ugly.
West
Roar Pro
I expect Adelaide to win this and try and prove something. Look forward to this Friday at Parra Stadium.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
I ; like a lot of people (even Reds supporters) believe that Brisbane will win easily , to expect Adelaide to act out of character and play finals-winning football when they have played a season of high mediocrity is pure fantasy -the Reds need a big soul search and a lot of hiring and firing before something positive emerges from this schemozzle but I'll be watching da game anyways have a good sunday people simples!!!!!!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Some interesting facts you may not know about todays game - Besart Berisha has scored 5 goals in 6 games against Adelaide but has never scored at Hindmarsh. Adelaide vs Roar head to head. 25 matches, 9 wins, 8 draws, 8 losses - in favour of Adelaide. Goals scored by both sides at Hindmarsh when facing one another - 10/10. Played 13 times at Hindmarsh - 6 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses in favour of Brisbane Roar. I'm predicting no goals scored by Berisha and the final scoreline at full time to be 1-1, then extra time, then penalties, will come down to keepers. Theo or Galekovic will get man of the match.
MV Dave
Guest
Wouldn't be supriised if this goes all the way to penalties. Adelaide at home will fight a little harder and Raw away are still a long way from last seasons form....so probably 0-0 or 1-1 but Raw to win on pens.