Gold Coast’s Brazilian defender Anderson believes countryman and Sydney FC striker Bruno Cazarine is the only thing standing in the way of United taking all three points in Friday night’s match at Skilled Park.
Brought into the Sky Blues’ squad late after making his debut in Round 5, towering Cazarine has impressed and is tied at the top of the Hyundai A-League scoring chart with five goals so far this season, including last weekend’s controversial match-winner against Newcastle Jets.
Anderson is well aware of the dangers presented by Cazarine, having played against him back in Sao Paolo and says if United are to take the three points they will need to nullify his influence.
“I know him well and he’s a quality striker – he’s got good control, he’s very strong, very good in the air and on Friday we’re going to have to pay special attention to him,” Anderson said.
“In Australia, I’ve learned you have to be very physical to be a good player and Bruno is, so we need to be extremely careful.”
Anderson is wary of a resurgent Sydney side who, despite a horror start to the season, have lifted themselves off the bottom of the ladder and begun to gather some momentum as the competition begins to heat up over the summer months.
But the skillful defender believes three points are a necessity for Gold Coast if they are to continue snapping at the heels of crosstown rivals and pacesetters Brisbane Roar.
“Just because Sydney are down the bottom of the table doesn’t mean it will be an easy game – they are still the reigning champions and they are a good team with a good coach,” he said.
“But they’re coming to Skilled Park, our house, so we must take three points from them. We play for three points in every game, otherwise what’s the point?”
Making 27 appearances last season as an injury replacement player, Anderson has found himself in and out of the United senior squad but in the last two weeks has played at left full-back, pushing the incumbent Adama Traore further forward in a pairing the Brazilian feels is a potent one.
“I think Adama and I are a good combination. With me at left-back and him at left wing we can switch at any time, no problem – I can go forward and he can go back,” he said.
“I prefer to stay back because I’m a better defender and Adama’s a better attacker than me, but either way we have a very strong left side and we’re flexible.”
“Against Melbourne Victory, our defence was very strong, Adama put in a good cross, (Rodrigo) Vargas scored the own goal and that’s all that we needed, so it’s working.”
