Brazilian legend Zico is hoping history will repeat itself on Wednesday as his Kuruvchi side looks to overturn a 3-0 deficit in its Asian Champions League semi-final second leg against Australia’s Adelaide United.
Diego, Fabian Barbiero and Cristiano netted in the final 33 minutes at Hindmarsh Stadium two weeks ago as the Reds put themselves in the driving seat to secure a place in November’s two-legged final.
But after being boosted by the news striker Jose Luis Villanueva will be fit to face Adelaide, Kuruvchi, which is also known as Bunyodkor, will seek a repeat of last month’s 5-1 win over Iran’s Saipa which saw the Chilean frontman net a hat-trick in the quarter-final second-leg triumph.
“We have prepared for the game and we will try and show our best,” Zico said.
“We have 90 minutes and maybe more. Football is football and history has proven it is possible. If the players play as they should the result will take care of itself.”
“We must attack, but the defence must play better because in the first game we allowed them to score three goals.”
“This team beat Saipa 5-1, and although it was under a different coach, the players are still the same.”
Reds coach Aurelio Vidmar has insisted the first leg scoreline was ‘flattering’ and with Kuruvchi’s side boasting former World Cup winner Rivaldo, Villanueva and goalscoring midfielder and captain Server Djeparov, Adelaide skipper Travis Dodd says the Reds are well aware of the task they face.
“After playing against them we know they are a strong team,” Dodd said.
“Their captain, who plays for the national team, works very hard; they are very strong overall and have a lot of dangerous players.”
“We are confident following the good result at home, but we are under no illusions. We cannot go out there at 3-0 thinking we have the game tied up, that would be wrong as we know it will be a tough game.”
While Villanueva will look to provide Kuruvchi’s attacking threat, Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic will seek to secure the Reds a place in the final with a 13th clean sheet in his past 21 matches in all competitions.
The 27-year-old was a doubt for the game after suffering a groin injury while on international duty with Australia, but coach Aurelio Vidmar has confirmed ‘he should be fine to play’ after coming through a training session on Monday.
Adelaide, though, will be without Paul Agostino, who did not feature in the first-leg triumph, after the striker suffered a suspected torn calf muscle following the Reds’ arrival in the Uzbekistan capital.
“We are heading into the game confident as we had a good win last Friday against Queensland 1-0, but we know against Kuruvchi it will be an extremely difficult game,” said Vidmar.
“Kuruvchi coach Zico said last week football is football and anything can happen. But we are not afraid; we are coming in very confident.”
“But we know we have to play at our best because Kuruvchi are a very good side.”
