Adelaide United’s marauding Brazilian defender Cassio has labelled the Reds’ Wednesday night away clash against Gold Coast as another ‘final’ as his side look to steal second spot from Central Coast.
Adelaide have three games remaining to try and catch the Mariners and Cassio said every one of their remaining fixtures will be treated as a final.
The Reds coughed up a chance to grab second place after a 2-1 home defeat to the Mariners on Saturday left United four points adrift in third.
GCU are breathing down United’s neck, four points behind with a game in hand and Cassio admitted the Reds can’t afford another slip up after a ‘flat’ performance against Central Coast.
“It’s another final for us. We have three finals and it starts tomorrow against Gold Coast,” he said.
“It’s a real important game for us and we have to do everything we can to win this game.”
“We were a bit flat and we have to improve. We’ve trained good the last two days and it should be good for tomorrow night.”
Cassio acknowledged victory against Gold Coast will undoubtedly boost United’s confidence after suffering their third home defeat of the season.
“If we win this game it will bring the confidence back,” he said.
“Actually all the players have confidence but we lost last game and we didn’t play good. We didn’t like losing at home and we have to change that tomorrow.”
“It will be a hard game for us over there but we have to do everything we can to win the game. We have to go there, do our job, play good football and bring home the three points to Adelaide.”
The 2007-08 club champion remains wary of GCU, highlighting the formidable strike force of Bruce Djite and Shane Smeltz as danger for Adelaide and said the key to victory would be stopping their supply.
“Gold Coast are a good side and they play good football,” he said.
“They have two real good strikers that we have to stop of course. We have to stop the ball getting to them. They’re pretty good and they know how to score the goals.”
Cassio also admitted he is looking forward to a meeting against former Adelaide team-mate Djite, as well as a reunion with Gold Coast’s Brazilian left-back Anderson who he played alongside at Brazilian club Flamengo.
“Djite is a big player, a good player,” he said.
“I know that, I played with him here in my first year. He knows how to score – him and Smeltzy they’re pretty good strikers.”
“Anderson, yeah he’s a good guy. We played a bit together, I hope he does well but I hope we get the three points for Adelaide.
