Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg said he is ‘dying’ to meet intrastate rival Brisbane Roar in the Hyundai A-League grand final after an epic 3-2 win against Adelaide United in the Elimination Final at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday.
GCU booked a place in Saturday’s Preliminary Final against Central Coast Mariners in a battle that will determine who faces off against the Roar.
Bleiberg acknowledged there is plenty riding on a spot in the decider with Asian Champions League qualification available for either GCU or CCM after Brisbane secured their passage when they wrapped up the minor premiership.
The Gold Coast boss stated if it were to be an all-Queensland final, there would not be a repeat of the demolition handed down by Brisbane the last time the two sides met when the Roar trounced United 4-0 in mid January.
“I’ll tell you what, I’m dying to meet the Roar in the grand final,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to it. It will not be 4-0 I can tell you.”
“It’s a very interesting situation. I have to admit I’m nervous because it’s a lot. It’s Asia and the grand final against the Roar.”
A jubilant Bleiberg said Adelaide are a better side than Gold Coast when at their best, but admitted his side showed plenty of character to come from behind after relinquishing their 1-0 half*time lead.
“I’m very proud of the boys and we all should be proud,” he said.
“We were supposed to be backs to the wall playing against a better team who finished above us on the ladder. All the experts say that they are better and we didn-t deny it because it was true.”
“The truth is, when Adelaide play to their best, which wasn’t today, they produce better football than Gold Coast United.”
“In adversity you find the real character of the team.”
Bleiberg began his post-match press conference though, by congratulating the Reds, acknowledging Adelaide’s contribution in lifting the standard of the Hyundai A-League particularly when they went undefeated in their opening 11 matches.
“Congratulations to Adelaide, they’ve had a great season,” he said.
“They made a big jump from where they finished last year to this year. If everybody talks about the standard of the A-League this year and that is has improved, I think it started with Adelaide who set the tempo in the first 11 or 12 rounds.”
Before fielding any questions, Bleiberg also found time to pay tribute to opposite number Rini Coolen and his involvement in the Reds’ transformation from last season’s wooden spoon.
“And, I think as a reward their coach got a four-year contract and I don’t even know if I’ll get the plane tomorrow,” he quipped.
