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United out to maintain good Hindmarsh record

Gold Coast have lost just once in four visits to the Reds’ home turf and will have fond memories of their most recent outing at Hindmarsh when they took on Rini Coolen’s men in last season’s Finals Series.

United came out on top that day with a dramatic 3-2 win and advanced to the preliminary final, but this time around it’s all about securing three vital points to ease themselves up to a ladder position that Bleiberg and his men believe their performances warrant.

After last week’s late capitulation in Sydney, the mood in the United camp has been steely to say the least. Determined to return to action as soon as possible, the Adelaide clash can’t come soon enough for Bleiberg’s troops and it’s an attitude the Gold Coast boss welcomes.

“If the players are eager to play again as quickly as possible then that’s what counts. I’m happy that they feel that way and the last thing you want is for disappointment to be hanging around longer than is necessary. The boys are in positive mood and looking forward to the game – there is no Sydney hangover,” Bleiberg said.

“Both Gold Coast United and Adelaide United are in the same boat – points-wise we are underperforming. Adelaide have come under a lot of scrutiny because of the players they signed in the off-season, but for us it’s more self-assessment because we believe we are better than our current points total is showing.”

United will again be without Joel Porter (calf) and Ante Rozic (knee), but are confident that Adama Traore will recover fully from the corked thigh that forced him to limp off in Sydney early in the second half.

Gold Coast skipper Michael Thwaite said the trip to Adelaide has come at the perfect time for United and claimed the pressure is on the Reds to perform at home.

“We did a double session yesterday to work on some tactical movement and despite doing that double everyone is really fresh today and keen to play on Friday,” Thwaite said.

“The short turnaround is working well for us. We’ve had enough time to reflect on the Sydney match and at the same time we’re not waiting too long to get back out there.

“I think we can take confidence from a lot of the work we have done in our games and we are going down there to win as always. We’re playing some good football and we just have to keep that going.

“Adelaide are under a lot of pressure at the moment, especially as they are at home in front of their own fans, so hopefully we can take advantage of that.”

Hyundai A-League Week 6 – Friday 11 November 2011

ADELAIDE UNITED v GOLD COAST UNITED

At Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Kick off: 7.00pm QLD, 7.30pm local.

Referee: Chris Beath

Twitter: #HALaugcu

Gold Coast United squad:

1.Glen Moss [gk], 2.Josh Brillante, 3.Michael Thwaite (c), 4.Zac Anderson, 5.Kristian Rees, 6.Paul Beekmans, 8.Robson, 10.Tahj Minniecon, 12.Dylan Macallister, 14.Ben Halloran, 15.Adama Traore, 16.Maceo Rigters, 18.James Brown, 20.Jerrad Tyson [gk], 22.Peter Jungschlager, 23.Dylan McGowan, 28.Daniel Bowles, 29.Mitch Bevan.

*three to be omitted*

In: 2.Josh Brillante (return from international duty), 4.Zac Anderson (promoted), 10.Tahj Minniecon (promoted), 28.Daniel Bowles (promoted).

Out: 27.Ambes Yosief (not selected).

Unavailable: 9.Joel Porter (calf – 2 weeks), 13.Ante Rozic (knee – 2 weeks), 19.Chris Broadfoot (ankle injury – 6 weeks).

Adelaide United squad:

1.Eugene Galekovic [gk], 3.Nigel Boogaard, 4.Jon McKain, 5.Daniel Mullen, 6.Cassio, 7.Zenon Caravella, 9.Sergio van Dijk, 10.Dario Vidosic, 11.Bruce Djite, 14.Cameron Watson, 16.Spase Dilevski, 17.Iain Ramsay, 21.Francisco Usucar, 23.Andy Slory, 39.Nick Munro [gk].

In: Nigel Boogaard (promoted), Daniel Mullen (promoted), Nick Munro (Adelaide United Youth)

Out: Evgeniy Levchenko (calf – 1-2 weeks), Mark Birighitti (gk) (on trial in Holland), Milan Susak (calf – 1 week)

Unavailable: Nil