Adelaide United winger Craig Goodwin hopes City take Perth to extra time in their Westfield FFA Cup semi final with the Reds facing a fatigued Glory four days later in the Hyundai A-League.
While United have two points from their opening two games, Glory are struggling having lost both of their Hyundai A-League fixtures so far.
They will also have to back up for their third game in a week against Adelaide on Sunday.
Glory played Phoenix last Sunday and have their Westfield FFA Cup semi-final against Melbourne City on Wednesday night.
Goodwin sees that as a definite advantage for Guillermo Amor’s Reds as they chase a first win of the season.
“It would be nice if they have to go into extra-time. They’ll [Glory] be a lot more tired and it can definitely be one of those games where it might not be won in the first half,” Goodwin told reporters on Tuesday.
“They might feel okay for the first half but there’s going to be a point where they are going to get tired.
“It’s going to be a game where hopefully we can run over the top of them in the last half an hour.”
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Desperate for goals, United may see the return of injured striker Bruce Djite this Sunday with Goodwin adamant an injury crisis and new playing system won’t hamper their season.
Two weeks in and the Reds are still searching for their first win of the campaign, managing two draws, ahead of Sunday’s trip west to play Perth.
Not helping their cause is a mounting injury toll, with as many as six players side-lined including skipper Eugene Galekovic (knee), new signing Iacopo La Rocca (foot) and speedster Bruce Kamau (hip).
But it’s up front where Guillermo Amor’s side is really feeling it, with first-choice strikers Bruce Djite (groin] and Eli Babalj (foot] also unavailable.
One of the most eye-catching attacking sides in the competition on their day, Adelaide have scored just once in 180 minutes of action – an own goal from the Wanderers’ Andreu.
“We’re not really too worried, it has been two draws and the performances have been okay,” Goodwin said.
“There is still a lot to work on but it’s still early doors. In terms of injuries, it’s obviously disappointing to have Bruce and Eli out so we’re going to have to reshuffle.
“But we do have a couple of boys who can fill that role. Pablo [Sanchez] played up the front quite a few times last year and did well, he finished as our top scorer so if he can play up there that would be nice.
“I got six [goals] last year in total and I want to achieve at least that again, hopefully more,” the winger added.
Djite took part in a light session on his own on Tuesday with Goodwin admitting the experienced striker was “50-50” to make a return at nib Stadium this weekend.
Regardless of Djite’s availability, Goodwin expects the Reds to improve on their first two performances as they continue to adapt to Amor’s new style.
“We are still working a little bit on the movements and just the little changes that have been implemented, and it takes a bit of time,” Goodwin conceded.
“We have got a bit more freedom, especially the wingers coming inside, we’ve got freedom in that aspect where it was a little bit more structured last year.
“It’s just getting into that rhythm of playing more and more games and just getting used to each other.
“Once we do that and once we get those combinations going in the front third, I think we will be right.”
