Reds to face the unknown in ACL qualifier

Assistant coach Luciano Trani and captain Galekovic

Adelaide United Captain Eugene Galekovic has admitted there is an air of uncertainty surrounding the Reds’ AFC Champions League qualifying clash with Indonesian club Persipura Jayapura.

Galekovic says the Reds will face up against the ‘unknown’ when they take the field at Hindmarsh tomorrow night, labelling the match ‘a weird one’.

“We don’t know what to expect with all the players we’ve never heard of so we’ve just got to worry about ourselves and give our best performance,” Galekovic said.

“If we win we’re through and if we lose we still might be through so it’s a bit of a weird one for us,” he said.

Adelaide’s official Champions League coach Luciano Trani said the lack of information on United’s opponents shouldn’t be an issue if the Reds .

“They’re unknowns to us. We don’t see them like we know our A-League fixtures but as long as we play well tomorrow night it doesn’t matter who we play against,” Trani said.

United were forced into the match against the Indonesian champions after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) supported the non-FIFA-sanctioned club’s appeal to play Champions League football.

As Persipura are not supported by either FIFA or the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) the ruling could be reversed when the CAS hands down its final verdict in three weeks time.

Persipura are set to arrive in Adelaide this afternoon with just over 24 hours to prepare for the cut-throat playoff.

Galekovic said Persipura’s lack of preparation time could be a factor in the outcome of the match but was wary of an Indonesian upset.

“Obviously the climate’s a lot different over there compared to here, getting in a day before won’t help, they would’ve liked to have a few days to soak it up,” Galekovic said.

“That’s part of the game [travelling] but mentally they’re going to be prepared and will want to go through just as much as we are.”

John Kosmina’s role on the night is still to be decided as he doesn’t hold the mandatory A-licence required to lead an AFC Champions League squad.

United will look to cement their place in the 2012 Asian Champions League if they defeat Persipura at Hindmarsh Stadium Thursday night with the game set for 7.30 kick-off local time.