Tue 10th Apr 2007

It has been a three week break, but Adelaide United FC is not suffering any Easter hangover as it gets ready to resume its 2007 AFC Champions League mission against current Korean Champions Seongnam Ilhwa.

United face the most successful club in the K-League at Hindmarsh Stadium before meeting them in Korea a fortnight later, and with both teams’ three points behind group leaders Shandong Luneng, a win on Wednesday night is crucial.

Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar has been impressed by the players’ condition and dedication at training leading up to the game, and believes his team, as it did for the most part against Shandong Luneng, can match it with a side that is regarded as one of the powerhouse clubs in Asia.

“I was really happy with training yesterday morning. It’s never easy going through this period of Easter but I was really pleased,” Vidmar said.

“We need to play a high tempo game because they are very quick and if we take too long getting the ball into our midfield and into our strikers they will make it very difficult for us.”

United has been given a boost with the inclusion of midfielders Diego and Jason Spagnuolo to the squad after injury. It has been welcome good news for the club, as its playing stocks have been highly stretched since the AFC Champions League began.

“I’m actually happy that I’ve got more than three players on the bench, which is an added bonus,” Vidmar said.

Vidmar has signaled that Diego will come straight into the starting XI, with the coach’s ideal intention about getting a solid 60 minutes out of his Brazilian midfielder. United’s other Brazilian, Fernando, is looking to continue his recent promising form while Australian Under 23 representatives Bruce Djite and Nathan Burns will be expected to once again play a major role up front after being cleared to play for their club despite the Australian Under 23 squad going into camp.

Despite losing their last AFC Champions League game, Seongnam Ilhwa will be one of United’s toughest challenges, as the club is currently unbeaten in five games in the K-League this season. With seven championships and an abundance of talent, highlighted by danger men Mota and Kim Doo-hyun, Vidmar is under no false pretenses of what his team faces and what is required on Wednesday night.

“They’ve won seven titles domestically so they’re a very good side. Three of their off season signings cost about $US6million and three of their players are probably paid more than our salary cap so that tells you what sort of team they are,” Vidmar said.

“We need to win. Once again we’re playing at home and I want to win our home games. We’re back on par now after winning in Vietnam so I expect to win.”

The Australian teams in the AFC Champions League have showed that they can match it in this competition, and Wednesday night will be Adelaide United’s opportunity to measure itself up against Korea’s number one club and put itself right in contention to progress to the next round.

MATCH 3 – AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2007
Adelaide United Fc Squad Verses Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Wednesday 11 April 2007 – Kick Off 7.30pm (Cst)

•  1. DANIEL BELTRAME (GK)
•  2. RICHIE ALAGICH
•  3. KRISTIAN REES
•  4. ANGELO COSTANZO (CAPTAIN)
•  5. MICHAEL VALKANIS
•  7. LUCAS PANTELIS
•  8. CARL VEART
•  9. MATTHEW KEMP
•  10. FERNANDO
•  11. DEZ GIRALDI
•  13. TRAVIS DODD
•  14. AARON GOULDING
•  15. NATHAN BURNS
•  17. ADAM VAN DOMMELE
•  18. ROBERT CORNTHWAITE
•  19. BRUCE DJITE
•  20. ROBBIE BAJIC
•  21. JASON SPAGNUOLO
•  22. DIEGO

TV: Live & Exclusive Fox Sports 2 - Match broadcast commences 7:30pm.
Radio: LIFE FM 107.9 (www.life.on.net) from 7:00pm