Adelaide United is no stranger to the big occasion.
The Reds will be playing off for a record third FFA Cup when they meet Melbourne City at Coopers Stadium in late October.
No side has taken to the FFA Cup quite like Adelaide, who will have a vocal and hostile local crowd behind them.
The incentive for silverware and a positive start to the season has been a significant motivator for the side, according to defender Jordan Elsey.
“It’s a good competition to get the team ready to prepare for the A-League, we take it very seriously and helps build that winning mentality and keep momentum going,” he said.
“The NPL sides are getting stronger every year, the last couple of years there are have been more upsets and its getting more coverage and more people getting excited to watch it.
“I think us players we realise we can play five games and win a trophy and you don’t win a trophy every day in your career.
Despite losing Marco Kurz – the manager behind the club’s last FFA Cup title – Elsey says new boss Gertjan Verbeek has the team right behind him and playing for each other.
“[Verbeek’s] been really good so far, all the boys are behind him and together and on the same page in what we want to achieve this season,” he said.
“He’s hard on us and gets the best of us which is what we want.”
Adelaide’s pre-season and preparation will be put to the test when they host reigning Champions Sydney FC.
Norwegian forward Kristian Opseth is expected to make his debut, while fans will also be excited to see former Victory midfielder James Troisi in action as well.
“It will be a really good test to see where we’re at, obviously [Sydney] have been strong for a few years and especially us at home we’ve had a successful pre-season should be very exciting, pre-season is very long so we’re looking forward to it,” Elsey said.
“All the signings are fitting in well with the boys, Kristian [Opseth] is a very strong striker we’ve seen some of the goals he’s scored at training and we’re very excited and [Troisi] has trained the last two days.”
