Vidmar announces squad for ACL Quarter Finals
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Alemao was the foreigner to miss out in The Reds' ACL squad. © AUFC
Adelaide United FC defender Alemao is The Reds unlucky foreigner to miss out on selection into the clubs AFC Champions League Quarter Finals squad to face Japans Kashima Antlers next month.
All teams in the AFC Champions league Quarter Finals had to submit their squads by Monday night 25 August, Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar opting to go with Cassio, Cristiano and Diego as his foreign trio. Unfortunately for Vidmar, four foreigners do not fit into three spots, the United boss forced to make the tough decision on who to leave out and Alemao was the one.
Although each club in the Hyundai A-League can have up to four foreigners, teams in the AFC Champions League are only allowed three on their squad list, meaning one of The Reds four Brazilians had to make way.
We made the decision to take Alemao out unfortunately. It was a tough decision but we just thought that with Cassio and Diego, theyve already been there and know what to expect, and Cristiano has got a fair bit of experience, Vidmar said.
We have also got cover if we have to on that side but it wasnt an easy decision because I would have liked to have all of them in there.
Vidmar informed Alemao of the decision yesterday, breaking the news to the defender, as one of the toughest things he has had to do since taking on the top job.
Obviously hes very disappointed but he copped it on the chin pretty well and I think the pleasing thing from Alemao was that he said that it doesnt change anything, hes still here and hes going to be committed for all of the other games, Vidmar said.
All four of them want to play but unfortunately I cant have all of them in there so that was the decision we made. You have to play within the rules and thats the way we decided to go.
Using fellow Brazilian team mate Diego to translate, Alemao said he would continue to do everything he can for the team and support the squad in its matches against the reigning J-League champions.
Im very sad that Im not going to be able to go but now I will just be like one of the fans, I will be cheering the team on, Alemao said.
Nothing is going to change. Im going to keep working hard and focus on doing my best in the Hyundai A-League.
The skilful Brazilian right backs only chance of playing in the AFC Champions League is if one of the other foreigners gets injured more than three days before the game.
Vidmar has also announced that Adelaide Uniteds first four Youth League signings have been added to the AFC Champions League squad.
The first leg of Adelaide Uniteds Quarter Final against the Kashima Antlers is on Wednesday 17 September in Japan before the return leg on Wednesday 24 September at Hindmarsh Stadium, The Reds preparing to make history as the first Australian club to compete in the Knockout Stage of the prestigious Asian club competition.
Tickets for the home leg on September 24 are available now through Venue*Tix by calling (08) 8225 8888 or visiting www.venuetix.com.au.
Adelaide United FC AFC Champions League Knockout Stage Squad
Paul Agostino, Joel Allwright*, Fabian Barbiero, Mark Birighitti, Cassio, Robert Cornthwaite, Angelo Costanzo, Cristiano, Diego, Travis Dodd, Eugene Galekovic, Scott Jamieson, Michael Marrone*, Daniel Mullen, Matthew Mullen*, Sasa Ognenovski, Lucas Pantelis, Paul Reid, Jonas Salley, Kristian Sarkies, Jason Spagnuolo, Alex Sunasky*, Michael Valkanis, Robert Younis
* denotes AUFC Youth League Player
http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=aufc_news_item&id=23369
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Alemao was the foreigner to miss out in The Reds' ACL squad. © AUFC
Adelaide United FC defender Alemao is The Reds unlucky foreigner to miss out on selection into the clubs AFC Champions League Quarter Finals squad to face Japans Kashima Antlers next month.
All teams in the AFC Champions league Quarter Finals had to submit their squads by Monday night 25 August, Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar opting to go with Cassio, Cristiano and Diego as his foreign trio. Unfortunately for Vidmar, four foreigners do not fit into three spots, the United boss forced to make the tough decision on who to leave out and Alemao was the one.
Although each club in the Hyundai A-League can have up to four foreigners, teams in the AFC Champions League are only allowed three on their squad list, meaning one of The Reds four Brazilians had to make way.
We made the decision to take Alemao out unfortunately. It was a tough decision but we just thought that with Cassio and Diego, theyve already been there and know what to expect, and Cristiano has got a fair bit of experience, Vidmar said.
We have also got cover if we have to on that side but it wasnt an easy decision because I would have liked to have all of them in there.
Vidmar informed Alemao of the decision yesterday, breaking the news to the defender, as one of the toughest things he has had to do since taking on the top job.
Obviously hes very disappointed but he copped it on the chin pretty well and I think the pleasing thing from Alemao was that he said that it doesnt change anything, hes still here and hes going to be committed for all of the other games, Vidmar said.
All four of them want to play but unfortunately I cant have all of them in there so that was the decision we made. You have to play within the rules and thats the way we decided to go.
Using fellow Brazilian team mate Diego to translate, Alemao said he would continue to do everything he can for the team and support the squad in its matches against the reigning J-League champions.
Im very sad that Im not going to be able to go but now I will just be like one of the fans, I will be cheering the team on, Alemao said.
Nothing is going to change. Im going to keep working hard and focus on doing my best in the Hyundai A-League.
The skilful Brazilian right backs only chance of playing in the AFC Champions League is if one of the other foreigners gets injured more than three days before the game.
Vidmar has also announced that Adelaide Uniteds first four Youth League signings have been added to the AFC Champions League squad.
The first leg of Adelaide Uniteds Quarter Final against the Kashima Antlers is on Wednesday 17 September in Japan before the return leg on Wednesday 24 September at Hindmarsh Stadium, The Reds preparing to make history as the first Australian club to compete in the Knockout Stage of the prestigious Asian club competition.
Tickets for the home leg on September 24 are available now through Venue*Tix by calling (08) 8225 8888 or visiting www.venuetix.com.au.
Adelaide United FC AFC Champions League Knockout Stage Squad
Paul Agostino, Joel Allwright*, Fabian Barbiero, Mark Birighitti, Cassio, Robert Cornthwaite, Angelo Costanzo, Cristiano, Diego, Travis Dodd, Eugene Galekovic, Scott Jamieson, Michael Marrone*, Daniel Mullen, Matthew Mullen*, Sasa Ognenovski, Lucas Pantelis, Paul Reid, Jonas Salley, Kristian Sarkies, Jason Spagnuolo, Alex Sunasky*, Michael Valkanis, Robert Younis
* denotes AUFC Youth League Player
http://www.adelaideunited.com.au/default.aspx?s=aufc_news_item&id=23369
