Popovic's focus on Sydney derby

The Wanderers slipped to a 1-0 loss to Adelaide United on Friday night, but Popovic said his club won't wallow in the result.

Instead, Popovic quickly turned his side's attention to the blockbuster against the Sky Blues next Saturday night at Parramatta Stadium.

"It's a first ever Sydney derby, it will be great for the fans and the two clubs," Popovic said.

"We're all looking forward to having that rivalry, which is important anywhere in the world.

"As a player I always loved playing in derby games and nothing beats that.

"And it is different - you think it's not, but it is, even the crowd is different, the noise is different around the stadium.

"Obviously there are emotions attached.

"And hopefully we will control our emotions best and come away with a win."

The Wanderers proved a hard nut to crack for Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium, with the Reds claiming consecutive wins to open their season courtesy of Argentine attacker Jeronimo Nuemann's second-half strike.

The Wanderers remain goalless from their initial two games, but Popovic was confident in his side's scoring power.

"I have got faith in the players," he said.

"If we keep creating chances and getting it in the right areas, I'm confident that will turn and the team will get the goals they deserve."

Popovic was also heartened by Shinji Ono's performance, saying the best was yet to come from the Japan star.

"It's a new country, a new culture and a new way of playing," he said.

"He needs to adjust but I'm pleased with how he's playing.

"With match fitness and once he gets to know his team-mates and gets settled, he will only get better.

"It takes for everyone, it's not just Ono.

"Some of these players have only been together for a month ... Ono has just arrived.

"So it will take time to get those combinations right, as long as the ideas are there and the way we want to play is there - and we can see that, they are trying to play the way we want - they will improve week by week."