April 02, 2015 11:22:42 UK
Travelling to in-form Sydney FC on Saturday won’t faze Adelaide United, says Reds left-side ace Craig Goodwin.
United face, on paper, the hardest match of their remaining four fixtures when they go to Allianz Stadium as none of their other games are against top-five teams.
Adelaide have already beaten Sydney away from home this season, winning 3-0 on Boxing Day, and they have few fears based on previous meetings. United have won on five of their last seven trips to Allianz Stadium and only been beaten once in that time.
The Reds will have to cope with the loss of star playmaker Marcelo Carrusca, who is out for the next two games with a quad strain.
Goodwin said: “He is one of our most influential players and hard to replace but we have a number of players who are creative and four players who are on six goals while Marcelo is on seven. We can handle it and that is what we will have to do against Sydney this week.
“It will be a test of character this game with a number of players out but we have a good squad. We definitely have the ability; it is just getting out there and producing the goods.”
Coach Josep Gombau has defender Nigel Boogaard available against the Sky Blues. Boogaard came away with nothing worse than a sore head after landing awkwardly and being stretchered off in the second half of the 1-0 win away to Newcastle Jets last weekend.
Sydney are boosted by having won away against leaders Wellington Phoenix last round, and are one point above the fifth-placed Reds.
Cooper said: “It is a massive game against Sydney; if we win it puts us in a good position to take out first or second spot and if we don’t it becomes much harder.”
Adelaide are 3.00 to beat Sydney FC, who are 2.30 with the draw 3.40.
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