Adelaide United has no intention of adopting a conservative approach in Saturday’s semi-final first-leg in Auckland despite the comfort of having a home return leg at a packed Coopers Stadium less than a week later.
“We’re here to win – it’s as simple as that,” Reds skipper Craig Goodwin said on Friday ahead of his side’s opening-leg battle with Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium.
“Whatever results happens, we’ll take it from there, but we don’t come here to play for a draw or (with a) damage limitations (attitude).
“We believe we’re a good side, we believe we can win here and we have full confidence.”
The Reds have such belief despite never having beaten Auckland.
In the four games played between the teams since the Kiwi outfit joined the A-League in 2024, three have finished in draws, with the other match being a 2-1 home win for Auckland earlier this season.
However, playing at the same venue on Saturday won’t intimidate the Reds.
“That’s something that we’ll relish. Whether it’s our fans or not, playing in front of a big crowd is a privilege and finals football is as exciting as it gets,” Goodwin said.
“It’s going to be a great occasion.”
The Reds will have to navigate the first leg without in-form striker Luka Jovanovic, who was sent off in Adelaide’s last-start 2-1 win over Melbourne City after netting a brace.
“It’s disappointing to miss Luka but he’ll be ready to go in (next Friday’s) return leg, and we have to do the business here,” Goodwin said.
Among the Adelaide players who will be full of confidence this weekend will be 20-year-old midfielder Ryan White, who this week was presented with the Aurelio Vidmar Medal after being named the club’s player of the season.
Reds coach Airton Andrioli said White had been “very good”.
“He’s done extremely well,” Andrioli said.
“We hope he’s going to have an influence in the game (on Saturday).
“We’re going to give everything, We’re in a great position and it’s a great opportunity to give everything in this game and make sure we go away from here with a positive result, and then play in front of our supporters.
“That’s where we want to be, and that’s what we want to reward them with.”
Auckland coach Steve Corica said the Reds had “nicked second spot” off his team,
“They are a good team,” Corica said.
“This is where we wanted to be … but we’ve still got the (grand) final that we want to get to and it’s going to take a lot of hard work over the next two weeks.”
Originally published as Adelaide United target aggressive away win in A-League semi-final first-leg clash
