Adelaide United midfielder Osama Malik admits it’s ‘do or die’ for the Reds against Newcastle Jets on Friday night at Hunter Stadium, if they are to have any chance of keeping their faint finals hopes alive.
Adelaide United midfielder Osama Malik admits it’s ‘do or die’ for the Reds against Newcastle Jets on Friday night at Hunter Stadium, if they are to have any chance of keeping their faint finals hopes alive.
Adelaide have pressed hard for a finals spot in the second half of the season following coach John Kosmina’s re-appointment in late December.
However back-to-back crushing home defeats in rounds 17 and 18 to top six sides Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix threatened to derail the Reds’ late charge.
They SA side recovered in round 19 to dispose of cellar dwellers Gold Coast United 2-1 before another shock loss at home to fellow finals contender Sydney FC last Sunday all but put an end to Adelaide’s finals aspirations.
Despite the odds stacking up against the Reds in ninth spot to sneak into the top six needing to win all of their last five games while the likes of Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets pushing hard ahead of them, Kosmina has refused to give in.
Malik who has become a mainstay in the Reds’ starting eleven in recent weeks echoed his coach, suggesting there was a firm belief amongst the team that they could still make it.
“We made hard it ourselves after last week (against Sydney FC) and now it’s definitely do or die,” Malik said.
“Obviously it’s still mathematically possible we can make it … and we believe we are good enough to win every game.”
“Newcastle are a good side, they keep the ball well and are real philosophical about the way the play.”
“It will be a tough game just like we had with them couple weeks ago when we played them in Bathurst but we are confident we can win the game.”
“We will definitely be going there to get all three points.”
With the A-League season coming to a close, Adelaide will soon turn their attention to the AFC Champions League.
The illustrious Asian tournament is set to be another test for a small Adelaide squad who will be pushed to their limits and Kosmina whose future at the club is still yet to be confirmed.
With a decision to be made, Malik gave a glowing reference to his coach believing he is the right man to lead Adelaide into the future.
“For me personally, Kossie’s (Kosmina) been great and I think if you look at the overall performance of the team we’ve been quite good and prepared for all the battles we’ve been faced with,” Malik said.
“He’s installed real belief in the team … and has a lot of knowledge of the game through his experience.”
“Kossie’s done a great job and I shouldn-t see why he should not be coach for the next few seasons.”
