Gombau claims Adelaide has the edge over Sydney

Adelaide United holds an edge over Sydney FC in their looming A-League semi-final because of the Sky Blues' enforced weekend off, Reds coach Josep Gombau says.

Adelaide United  Josep Gombau

Reds coach Josep Gombau says Adelaide United will hold an edge over Sydney FC in their looming A-League semi-final because of the Sky Blues' enforced weekend off (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Gombau's troops booked a semi-final date in Sydney by downing reigning champion Brisbane Roar 2-1 in a stirring elimination final on Friday night.

Substitute Awer Mabil scored the winner in the 87th minute before 20,155 spectators at Adelaide Oval.

The Reds now travel to meet Sydney FC on Saturday night - and Gombau has claimed an early advantage.

He reckons the fact Sydney didn't play this weekend will actually work against Graham Arnold's outfit.

"If I am honest, it's better to play than to stay a week off without playing because you keep the speed of the game, you keep this feeling," he said.

"I think we have a little bit of an advantage in this - that they stopped and they don't play the game.

"If we play (them) on Wednesday, I would say no. But we play on Saturday. We have eight days ... we can recover perfect.

"And we have the game of hard competition one week before that they don't have.

"For me, it's better. As a coach I prefer to play every week and don't have this break."

Gombau says the Sky Blues hold no fears for Adelaide, who banked two away wins and a home draw against the Sydneysiders in the regular season.

"I am not worried," he said.

"What I want is to start to prepare, to think of tactics ... to prepare again with all the power that we have to win and be in the grand final."

Gombau could have a full squad to choose from for the away trip with frontman Bruce Djite expected to overcome the groin strain which sidelined him from the elimination final triumph.

And defender Michael Marrone has also served a one-match suspension and could replace Dylan McGowan, whose howler of a mistake gifted Roar sole goal on Friday night.

McGowan attempted a back pass while off-balance which trickled a couple of metres and put Brisbane star Thomas Broich on goal.


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2 min read
Published 2 May 2015 10:02am

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