A-League leaders Perth Glory are claiming underdog status for the FFA Cup final against Adelaide United on Tuesday night.
Sensational form has traditional strugglers Perth sitting on top of the league ahead of the inaugural final.
But coach Kenny Lowe says travelling to Adelaide – the site of their only A-League loss of the season – gives the Reds a “huge advantage”.
“They’re a super team,” he said.
“They play the game the right way and everyone should take their hats off to the way they play because you’ve got to be brave the way they play.
“We’re coming into a cauldron here… but we want to try and spoil their party.”
Coopers Stadium will be a sea of red after a full sell-out declared last week.
There will at least be one pocket of purple – Glory are flying their entire playing and backroom staff to Adelaide for the match.
The FFA Cup has been a tremendous success story for the sport, connecting the grassroots of the game with A-League professionals.
The knockout competition that began with more than 600 clubs is down to just two; meaning either United or Glory will end a title drought.
Perth haven’t claimed a trophy since the 2004 National Soccer League – pre-dating the A-League era.
Adelaide’s lean streak extends to 2006 when they topped the A-League ladder, but have had three grand final losses since.
Two painful A-League decider losses to Melbourne Victory on either side of an Asian Champions League final defeat means Tuesday night’s match is the chance for Gombau to end the Reds’ finals hoodoo.
“For us as a club it’s very important. Not every year you can win a trophy,” he said.
“I wish the people from Adelaide can enjoy this and we can win this game.”
Both coaches have one key selection issue after Gombau confirmed Argentine whiz Marcel Carrusco would start.
For Lowe, it’s whether to pick Mitch Nichols after suffering a hamstring injury on Friday night, while Gombau reported his defender Nigel Boogaard was in the balance.
“He tried today, he’s in better condition but we’re still thinking what we will do,” Gombau said.
Lowe brashly suggested last week his team would win the match but on the eve of the match he limited his predictions to how it would be decided.
“It ain’t going to be a quiet or shy game,” he said.
“The difference will be mistakes, either some wonderful play or mistakes.”
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Given the fact tickets sold quicker than discount wheat beers at the Schutzenfest, I'd suggest he's very much in the minority.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Yes strange attitude he has seeing both clubs are a little bare in the trophy cabinet department, plus a massive part of Australian footballing history is about to be made.
pete4
Guest
I also think they will be a lot of pressure on Adelaide here. If Perth counter and get their tactics right the Cup Final winner will be them but it'll be a worthy winner either-way
Kasey
Guest
I'm already struggling to concentrate on anything today at work:( by kick off I'm likely to be a bundle of nerves. Extra Time could very well tip me over the edge! Pens would be torture. Oddly, I posted on social media that I'm very excited and just a bit nervous today only to have one of my Reds fan friends reply that he's feeling the exact opposite, he's struggling to muster enthusiasm for the Cup Final. I reckon he's the odd man out though.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
I have a feeling extra time and penalties are looming also, horrible just thinking about it!
Kasey
Guest
I don’t think AU is a lay down misère….let me ‘splain…. Home ground = advantage AU. Current form = advantage Perth Anti-choke pressure = advantage Perth Boogaard and Carrusca under injury cloud = adv. Perth. Will the home ground advantage overcome the other advantages that Perth have? Either way, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one goes to extra time and pens. If it does I'll have no fingernails left by the time the pens start. My predominant hope, (besides my team winning) is that the game is decided by the skill of the players and NOT a refereeing(Chris Beath) howler. #upforthecup
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
It will be a cauldron today, they are right on top of you at Hindmarsh and if Adelaide are playing well it's going to make it even tougher. On the flip side anxiety will be quick to filter down to their players the longer we can keep them off the score sheet and even better if we can take the lead. Our first halves away against Brisbane and in particular Sydney were very good we must play that way early on to not be overrun. I assume we have sold out our allocation of away supporters as well so the boys won't entirely on their own over there.
haydos
Guest
Of course they're the underdogs, no claim needed. All the pressure is on Adelaide here not Perth. If it were at nib stadium it would be the other way around.