Cup final: Glory claims underdog status
Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe says Adelaide are a “super club” that deserve to be favourites for the FFA Cup Final.
The A-League leaders travel to Adelaide for tomorrow night’s inaugural final of the knockout cup competition.
Glory midfielder Mitch Nichols and Adelaide defender Nigel Boogard are in races against time to prove their fitness, while United coach Josep Gombau says he expects Marcelo Carrusca to play.
More than 600 grassroots and A-League clubs started the competition earlier in year, playing knockout matches through the year leading to tonight’s decider.
Glory coach Kenny Lowe says travelling to Adelaide – the site of Perth’s only A-League loss of the season – gives the Reds a “huge advantage”.
“They’re a super team,” he said.
“They play the game the right way and everyone should take their hats off to the way they play because you’ve got to be brave the way they play.
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“We’re coming into a cauldron here… but we want to try and spoil their party.”
After eight seasons and several near misses at Adelaide United, goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic is determined to make this one count.
Tonight, the Reds have their best chance to win a trophy since their A-League premiership of 2006.
“And what a chance it is,” Galekovic said.
Galekovic joined the club just in time for two huge disappointments; losing the Asian Champions League and A-League grand finals within four months.
Now, with Gombau at the helm, the 33-year-old has another golden opportunity.
Galekovic won a championship in 2007 with Melbourne Victory but made just a handful of starts behind regular gloveman Michael Theoklitos.
Now as Adelaide’s main man, the three-time A-League gloveman of the year is determined to have something to show for his tenure with United.
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“It’s a great chance for the boys to show what they can do in front of a home crowd and bring a trophy home,” he said.
And to be first to claim the FFA Cup would make it all the sweeter.
“There’s not much history behind it yet but down the track there’s going to be heaps of history,” he said.
“To be the first team to win it would be amazing.”
With home ground advantage, Adelaide will start warm favourites against the A-League leaders.
Galekovic knows what that’s worth after going 2014 without defeat at Coopers Stadium before Friday’s shock loss to Brisbane.
But he’s not banking the success just yet.
“If you think we’re going to rock up here and win the game just because we’re playing on home soil, it’s not going to happen,” he said.
“The boys are excited and I’m pretty sure there’s going to be some nerves tonight before we go to sleep.”
Glory’s captain Michael Thwaite is also delighted for the chance to play in Tuesday’s decider.
The Queenslander hailed the impact the Cup has had on regional and grassroots teams that had their moment in the sun along the way.
“Growing up in Cairns, a small region in Australia, I think it’s important. It gives a great opportunity for the smaller teams to do something wonderful,” he said.
– AAP
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