Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar has a number of injury concerns heading into the FIFA Club World Cup play-off for fifth place against Egyptian side Al Ahly on Thursday.
Vidmar concedes that there will be some changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Gamba Osaka on Sunday night.
“We still have to have a look at the team we’re going to play on Thursday (because) we’ve got some injury concerns, so at this point of time it is probably not going to be our strongest team but in saying that whoever goes out there on Thursday will have to perform to a very good level to get the win,” Vidmar said at after a Tuesday’s training session.
The problem facing Vidmar is that a fifth place finish at the Club World Cup would see the club reap a significant financial benefit, but with a third of the Hyundai A-League season remaining, the coach needs his players to be fit if they are to remain on top of the table.
“Travis (Dodd), Cassio, Fabian Barbiero and Sasa Ognenovski could all be in doubt. They’re probably the ones with the most concern and we’re in a situation where we need to weigh up what’s the most important, this game which is important but also, we’ve still got a third of our A-League season to play,” he said.
Of the four injuries, only Ognenovski joined the main group for training and is the most likely to play, the other three were restricted to light duties.
Dodd is battling a groin strain while Cassio has an ankle problem and has been suffering headaches and dizziness since he received a knock against the Wellington Phoenix just prior to the Club World Cup, while Barbiero is being restricted by a calf injury.
Despite the disappointment of losing to Gamba Osaka in the quarterfinal, Vidmar said there are still a number of positives to come out of the trip, whatever the result is against Al Ahly.
“It has been a great experience for us for our first time in this tournament and it hasn’t been an easy road getting here so I wouldn’t call it a disappointment if we get beaten on Thursday,” he said.
“I would call it a great adventure, a great experience and we look forward to one day coming back here again.”
Thursday’s match will be at the Yokohama International Stadium, which hosted the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, and Dodd would love nothing more than to take his place on the field.
“It is a special occasion for the players here, it’s a prestigious tournament that we’re playing in and to play in a stadium like this, hopefully in front of a big crowd, it’s going to fantastic,” Dodd said.
“Knowing that some great players in world football have graced this pitch as well, it’s very special.”
