Adelaide United’s sturdy right-back Daniel Mullen admits his side got its Asian Champions League campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win at Hindmarsh Stadium against reigning ACL champions, Korean side Pohang Steelers.
The former Australian Under-20 Footballer of the Year also issued a strong challenge to United’s opponents revealing the squad will not be changing too much ahead of its match day two clash with Shandong Luneng.
“We haven’t really talked starting elevens or formations yet but you wouldn’t think too much would be changed for this game.” He said.
Adelaide United touch-down in China late Saturday (Australian time) which will give the squad ample time to prepare and study its opposition. But Mullen indicated his side will not be watching too many videos of Shandong, instead the Reds will concentrate on the display that claimed maximum points against the Steelers.
“Once we get there we’ll probably start to focus on them a bit but it’s more about us and playing our game and doing the things that we want to do right on the day.”
A wonder goal from young speedster Matthew Leckie on the stroke of half time was enough for United to record all three points against Pohang and start the ACL with a win.
“Yeah definitely. The first game of the ACL to get off to a good start, especially at home in front of our supporters so it was good to get the three points and we’ll look to take that form into the next few games.” Said Mullen.
It was, however, an anxious first quarter of an hour for the Red’s as Pohang Steelers burst out of the gates in search of an early goal.
“There’s always periods in matches where teams will dominate and the first 15 (minutes) they certainly did dominate and we had to withstand that pressure and I think we did. After the first 15 minutes I think we started to play a bit of football and defended well and got the goal and we held on.” Mullen added.
Every United fan will hope the win is also an omen of things to come. United’s 2008 ACL campaign started with a 2-0 victory against Pohang at the Steelyard in Korea.
The Red’s fairytale run to the final took the squad from Adelaide to Tashkent and back on the path to the final against Gamba Osaka which they eventually lost 5-0 on aggregate.
As runners-up of the ACL, United qualified for the FIFA World Club Cup due to Gamba qualifying automatically as a host representative rather than confederation champion with the tournament being held in Japan.
Adelaide United was just a game away from facing off against one of the world’s greatest clubs in Manchester United when they were halted by Gamba 1-0.
Mullen has fond memories of the tournament, scoring a powerful header for United, the only goal of his career.
“Yeah I haven’t scored since though, it would be good to get on the scoresheet again. But it was definitely a great experience, one win away from playing Man United. We were up against the best in Asia, Gamba Osaka, so yeah it was a great experience.” He said.
Mullen added that beating the current ACL champion was a huge victory in itself and could shape the way the group finishes.
“I suppose it was good that we got them so early. They haven’t started their season yet so it was probably the best time to get them. We got the three points against them now so it’s got us off to a good start and put them back as well. Only top two go through and we’re ahead of them now so it’s a bonus,” he said.
