Adelaide United star Craig Goodwin says the weather conditions in Bangkok will only add to the challenge his side will face when they take to the field against Thai outfit BG Pathum United in the AFC Champions League Two.
The Reds have been in the Thai capital since the start of the week as they attempt to prepare themselves for Thursday night’s ACL Two clash in the sweltering heat of Bangkok.
With the temperature expected to be around 30 degrees come kick off time and the threat of thunderstorms also looming large, Goodwin admits his side are bracing themselves for the tricky conditions.
“The biggest challenge will probably be how we manage the conditions,” Goodwin said when speaking at the club’s pre-match press conference alongside Head Coach Airton Andrioli.
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“For most of the players in our squad, it’s their first time playing in this competition.
“It’s a different climate, against a good team, so it’ll be about how we adapt to that and also to the different style of football that Asian competition brings.”
The Reds kicked off their ACL Two campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Hong Kong Premier League side Tai Po on matchday one of the competition and know a win in Bangkok will see them take a commanding lead at the top of Group F.
“We’re extremely excited to be here,” Andrioli said. “We worked very hard last season to put ourselves in this position, and now to see that come to fruition and be here in Bangkok, playing our first competitive away match in Asia for so many years, is exciting.
“We’re really looking forward to the match.”
Standing in their way are BG Pathum United, who secured qualification for this season’s ACL Two care of a fourth-place finish in the 2025/26 Thai Premier League.
A side that currently has former Perth Glory midfielder Ryan Edwards in their ranks, BG Pathum United find themselves in tenth place on the Thai Premier League ladder after recording one win, one loss and two draws to start the season.
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“We’ve done our analysis on BG Pathum and they’re a very good side,” Andrioli remarked when asked what challenge lies in wait for the Reds.
“They play very good football, they’ve got a strong squad and plenty of depth, so they can make changes and that makes it difficult to predict exactly how they’ll play.
“But we’re confident in our game plan. We need to adapt to the conditions, play the way we want to play, and execute that plan.”
Andrioli is likely to field a full strength side for the clash in Bangkok with the Reds not featuring on the opening week of the 2026/27 A-League Men season after their home clash with Brisbane Roar at Coopers Stadium was rearranged for a later date.
