Adelaide defender Alemao is the unlucky foreigner to miss out on selection in the club’s AFC Champions League squad to face Japan’s Kashima Antlers next month.
Adelaide defender Alemao is the unlucky foreigner to miss out on selection in the club’s AFC Champions League squad to face Japan’s Kashima Antlers next month.
Only three foreign players are allowed in the squad and coach Aurelio Vidmar decided to include Cassio, Cristiano and Diego.
“We made the decision to take Alemao out unfortunately. It was a tough decision but we just thought that with Cassio and Diego, they-ve already been there and know what to expect, and Cristiano has got a fair bit of experience,” Vidmar said.
“We have also got cover if we have to on that side but it wasn-t an easy decision because I would have liked to have all of them in there.”
Vidmar informed Alemao of the decision yesterday, breaking the news to the defender, as one of the toughest things he has had to do since taking on the top job.
“Obviously he-s very disappointed but he copped it on the chin pretty well and I think the pleasing thing from Alemao was that he said that it doesn-t change anything, he‘s still here and he-s going to be committed for all of the other games,” Vidmar said.
“All four of them want to play but unfortunately I can-t have all of them in there so that was the decision we made. You have to play within the rules and that-s the way we decided to go.”
Using fellow Brazilian team-mate Diego to translate, Alemao said he would continue to do everything he can for the team and support the squad in its matches against the reigning J-League champions.
“I-m very sad that I-m not going to be able to go but now I will just be like one of the fans, I will be cheering the team on,” Alemao said.
“Nothing is going to change. I-m going to keep working hard and focus on doing my best in the Hyundai A-League.”
The first leg of Adelaide United-s quarter-final against the Antlers is on Wednesday September 17 in Japan before the return leg the following week at Hindmarsh Stadium.
