Adelaide United striker Sergio van Dijk is more concerned about finish the season on a high rather than his milestone 100th game against Perth Glory on Thursday night.
Adelaide United striker Sergio van Dijk is more concerned about finish the season on a high rather than his milestone 100th game against Perth Glory on Thursday night.
A stalwart of the Hyundai A-League van Dijk featured 50 times for Brisbane Roar before making the switch to Adelaide in February 2010.
The Dutchman signed on initial six-month contract for the Reds’ AFC Champions League campaign in a deal that later became permanent as the classy left-footer went on to bag 16 goals in the 2010-11 season to collect the Golden Boot.
Despite a rough start the 29-year-old is back to his best and leads Adelaide’s scoring once again with seven goals in 19 appearances.
In a season he rates ‘four or five out’ of 10, van Dijk wants Adelaide to recapture their best ahead of the AFC Champions League.
“My 100th game is more of a side issue. At the moment it’s better to focus on more important things and that’s finishing off the season on a good note,” van Dijk said.
“Of course I’m not happy with this season but we have the Asian Champions League next week and it gives us a fresh start.”
“I hope we can perform well and change this season around – it’s what we owe the Adelaide supporters.”
After a pre-season that saw the likes of former captain Travis Dodd, experienced midfield duo Adam Hughes and Paul Reid, and reigning Johnny Warren Medallist Marcos Flores shown the door, Adelaide failed to fire in the opening stages of the season.
Fresh faces and questionable tactics cost former coach Rini Coolen his job in mid-December with the Reds only registering two wins from 11 games.
John Kosmina was installed as manager for the second time shortly after as the Reds went on an unbeaten five-match run that included two victories before they crashed back down to earth following a 3-2 loss to the Central Coast Mariners in Round 16 and 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Perth a week later.
This was followed by back-to-back home defeats to Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC either side of a rare win against cellar dwellers Gold Coast United in Round 19.
Van Dijk put the late season capitulation down to a lack of confidence although he assured spirit within the club was at a high.
“We have quality players but we need confidence to perform and if confidence is hard to find then it’s going to be hard to play well,” van Dijk said.
“This season hasn’t been the easiest and I think with that, disappointment comes in as well.”
“We are professionals though and have to get the confidence and momentum back as quick as possible which is the hardest thing to do.”
“It’s not that you have to run faster or work harder it’s about a feeling you have and we have to get that back as a team … mentally we have to get stronger and pick it up.”
“Spirit is good and we have a lot to look forward to with the ACL and Thursday’s big game (against Perth) … we have to prepare for them and trust in a good outcome.”
