Despite already playing a big part in Adelaide United’s Champions League campaign and the back end of a poor A-League season, Reds striker Sergio van Dijk can’t help but feel excited about embarking on his first full season with the club.
The former Brisbane Roar striker is anticipating an interesting match when he takes on his old club for the first time when United travel to Suncorp Stadium on September 18.
“Of course I-m looking forward to the confrontation with Brisbane, but it-s different now…you-re playing in a different strip and it might be strange for the first couple of games but I think I-ll get used to it,” van Dijk said.
Despite successful seasons at the Roar that included 25 goals in his past two seasons, as well as two AFC Champions League goals for United in his seven games, van Dijk says he does not feel the weight of expectation ahead of his side’s season opener in 24 days.
“I think that obviously people want to put pressure on me, but it-s up to me to not feel it and just do my job,” the Dutchman said.
“I-m confident if I just do what I-m good at then I-m going to score goals, so for me there is not really any pressure.”
On new coach Dutchman Rini Coolen joining United ranks, van Dijk says one positive will be a new form of communication that would not have been available with former coach Aurelio Vidmar.
“For me it-s no different whether it-s an Australian coach or a Dutch coach,” Van Dijk said.
“The only thing is we can speak the same language and that will make it a little bit easier, but with any coach it-s the same deal and you listen to what they have to say.”
