Tarek Elrich has stressed the importance for the Reds to remain focused on the task at hand in their preparation ahead of the clash with Sydney FC.
Sydney FC v Adelaide United: 3 key match-ups
With the chance of United playing in its third grand final since the Hyundai A-League’s inception in 2005, Elrich highlighted his immense desire to cap off what has been a tremendous season with a much overdue championship for Adelaide.
“To win the title, that would be my proudest moment in a long time,” Elrich said. “Obviously I’ve had some great times at previous clubs, but this one would just mean that extra bit more.
“The bunch of boys that we’ve got here would (make it) something I’d never forget. The quality that we have in our squad just helps me as a player. We have an entire squad of great players.
“Everyone’s been doing their job and when everyone’s doing their job it just makes it easier for every player in the team.”
Yet Elrich and his teammates are fully aware of the dangers their opponents will pose when the two sides meet for what will be the fifth time in all competitions this season.
“Sydney are a quality team and a team that’s been very successful,” Elrich explained.
“They’re a team that everyone expects to win (the championship) every year. We know they’re fresh and we know the quality they boast, so for us it’s about making sure we worry about ourselves and do our job.
“They’re the sort of team that like to play attacking football and so do we. (But) if we go in there thinking that we have an edge on them, we know we’ll be in for a big surprise.
“Once we turn it on and do what we know we can do, anything’s possible.”
Elrich continued by saying concentration will be key going into the fixture and that playing United’s style of football will serve his side well throughout the match.
“At the end of the day we have to stay concentrated on our job and that is to make sure that we make the grand final,” Elrich said.
“We have to worry about our game. If we’re going to worry about (anything else), then our mind-set is in the wrong place. It’s about making sure that we do everything that we can.
“It’s been a while between drinks for Adelaide and the players know that, so we’ll make sure we give it our all.”
