Queensland Roar has admitted qualifying for the Asian Champions League is just as important as winning the 2009 Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
The Roar is keen to collect some silverware from the season but can see the many positives which come from playing at a higher level.
Coach Frank Farina said Saturday night’s preliminary final at Hindmarsh is a high-stakes contest for several reasons.
“We want to win the grand final as well but to win this one, that’s a big prize for both teams. This game has as much significance as a grand final for us,” he said.
The former Socceroos coach said leading a team in the ACL would be an achievement to add to his resume. But he was quick to add that a tournament in Asia would be an even bigger coup for his club.
“For my perspective, the greatest pleasure I would get is for the club and its supporters if we could get into the Asian Champions League,” he said.
“Hopefully this is a time for us when we can produce on the big stage and get through and then for the club that’s fantastic.”
“For me personally I’d love to be there (at the international level) again but it’s not about me.”
Roar goalkeeper Liam Reddy said the players were also excited about the prospect of qualifying for the ACL.
“You want to test yourself at the next level and if you don’t want to do that then you shouldn’t really be playing and that’s a big carrot for the players,” Reddy said.
“Especially with Adelaide going so well last year it’s opened up a lot of avenues for players and I think it’s a great tournament to be a part of.”
While a berth in the Asian Champions League would be huge, Farina said there was an equal amount of urgency to succeed in the A-League.
Farina said the club was a ‘bit disappointed’ with its achievements in the domestic competition and wanted to take the next step in its development.
“This is our second preliminary final and it’s a process that you’ve got to go through; a building process,” he said.
“I can only speak from my time at the club but I think we’ve built well with older players as well as younger players that we’ve brought through and it takes time.”
Meanwhile, Adelaide defender Scott Jamieson has been given the all-clear to take his place in the squad for the Preliminary Final.
Jamieson was cleared by the club’s medical staff after he completed a fitness test on Saturday morning and will be a certain starter for the do-or-die encounter.
The 20-year-old limped off the training track after rolling his ankle on Thursday, raising doubts on whether would be able to take his place for the contest.
