ADELAIDE UNITED full-back Ryan Kitto believes his side are more than ready for their third-straight FFA Cup final when they tackle Melbourne City tomorrow night.
Kitto was part of the Adelaide side which was defeated by City on Sunday afternoon in the A-League but the full-back is confident a second straight FFA Cup crown is more than achievable if his side put together a full performance.
“It was a disappointing first half if I am honest,” Kitto said.
“We had moments where we could have scored goals but we conceded two sloppy goals and Jamie Maclaren is always in the right place at the right time.
“We will take confidence from that second-half but know that we are going to need a complete 90 minute or potentially 120-minute performance to get us over the line.”
The 25-year-old also takes confidence from the fact his side has faced City twice in the pre-season before their contest in the league last week and believes the Adelaide crowd will help create an exciting atmosphere.
“They beat us once and we beat them as well so that’s three games we have already played against them,” Kitto said.
“It gives our players good knowledge and gives us a chance on Wednesday night knowing exactly what is required of us.
“We were very happy to get the home game and give our fans another opportunity to experience a final.
“We know when there is a big game on the line, they turn out in big numbers and they really add an extra element.”
Adelaide were without winger Ben Halloran due to illness on Sunday but Kitto believes the former Socceroo winger is a good chance at getting up for the clash.
“I’m confident he will get up for the big game,” Kitto said.
“It was disappointing to lose him last minute but these things happen and I believe he trained yesterday afternoon and got through unscathed.”
Kitto has transformed his career in the past year from a winger into a handy left-back and has not looked back since.
He was at first apprehensive to the move, before an injury-crisis forced former Adelaide coach Marco Kurz to move Kitto into the unfamiliar role of left-back which he has taken with both hands.
“It was an interesting one,” Kitto said.
“Marco discussed it with me early in the season and I was probably a bit reluctant to because the previous season I was able to score a few goals from the wing.
“As the season progressed, I wasn’t getting as many minutes as I would have liked.
“Then the opportunity popped up and Marco just put me in there and I really enjoyed it.
“I’m still learning, I do enjoy the role and I am happy to play there.”
