Adelaide United is brimming with confidence ahead of Friday night’s showdown with Auckland FC, with Reds defender Bart Vriends having a genuine belief that his team can claim silverware this season.
The Reds are unbeaten in their past six A-League games and have only lost one of their past 11 matches.
Ahead of Friday’s battle at Coopers Stadium, Adelaide is four points adrift of Auckland.
It’s a deficit that hasn’t been held by the Reds having drawn three times during their six-game unbeaten streak.
However, Dutchman Vriends boasted about his team’s “dominance” and sensed something special was brewing.
“We can finally try to win something with this club – that’s what it all comes down to,” the veteran centre-back said.
“We’ve been the dominant side in most games, and that gives us a lot of confidence heading into the final part of the season.”
In the absence of the injured Craig Goodwin, Vriends has proudly captained the Reds.
“I’ve always wanted to take responsibility,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m first captain or not. I’m here to help the team and raise my voice when it’s needed.”
Goodwin is continuing his recovery from a long-term groin injury, with Adelaide coach Airton Andrioli saying the veteran winger remains a chance to play in the Reds’ final game of the regular season on April 26 against Melbourne City.
“I don’t want to jump the gun,” Andrioli said.
“He’s tracking really well, and it would be great to have a player of his calibre available as we get closer to the end of the season and finals, if we get there.
“There are still four (regular season) games to go. For me, the most important game is the next one (against Auckland).
“All our focus and concentration goes into getting three points, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Auckland has suffered an injury blow ahead of Friday’s clash, with star left-back Francis de Vries in danger of being ruled out for the rest of the season after damaging his calf playing for New Zealand against Finland last week.
However. Andrioli is still expecting a strong Black Knights performance.
“They are a very solid team. They defend really well, they’ve got big players and experienced players in the squad,” he said.
“We know it’s not going to be easy, but we take confidence from what we’ve been doing.
“We know we can play football. If we can match them in the other aspects of the game, I think we’ll be in for getting a result.”
