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Auckland FC brace for quick turnaround for top-of the-table clash against Adelaide United
Sport Nation • January 20th, 2025 2:00 pm
Photo: Photosport
There's no respite for Auckland FC after their statement drubbing of Melbourne City on Saturday, with another top-of-the-table clash waiting in the immediate wings.
The Black Knights have just a four-day turnaround and a trek to South Australia ahead of them before a marquee showdown with frontrunners Adelaide United on Wednesday night.
The battle atop the A-League standings is rapidly heating up, with the No. 1-ranked side changing three times within the space of a few hours on Saturday, and the Aucklanders will have a chance to move back into outright first with victory at Hindmarsh Stadium on hump day.
Coach Steve Corica admits their upcoming challenge exemplifies the highly competitive nature of the league this season.
"It doesn't get any easier and I keep saying about the A-League, it's always very tight," Corica told Sport Nation Mornings on Monday. "Anyone can beat anyone. So we've got another job to do.
Photo: Shane Wenzlick/Photosport
"Obviously we're very pleased with the performance against Melbourne City. Some fantastic goals. But we've got another really strong challenge for us against Adelaide on Wednesday night, who are top of the league now playing some really good football."
For as much talk as there was about Auckland FC's remarkable undefeated opening run, Adelaide United have arguably recorded the most impressive streak of the season to date, reeling off six consecutive away victories - the longest such streak in the club's history.
But for all of their goal-scoring exploits, Corica believes there are vulnerabilities for his team to take advantage of.
How Auckland FC can stop red-hot Adelaide United I Mornings on Sport Nation
"They're one of the highest scoring teams. They're pretty lethal in attack, especially on the counterattack. They've got a lot of quick players. They break quickly and they're scoring goals from all areas of the pitch really at the moment, and from different players.
"But I think they concede a few goals as well. So, if we can try and obviously work into the areas that we want to get to against this team - obviously we've got to defend well because they're so potent in attack - we have a very good chance of winning the game.
"If we perform similar to the Melbourne City game on the weekend with how hungry we were and how aggressive we were, we've got a great chance of winning any game."
The fixture will be the first between the two sides since Auckland FC joined the competition this season.
