Reds arrive home to Hero’s Reception

Adelaide United FC’s weary squad touched down in Adelaide this morning to a rousing welcome after their successful journey to Tashkent, where they progressed to the AFC Champions League Final.

Visibly fatigued after the trip, The Reds were swamped by family, friends and loyal fans that turned up to show their support and acknowledge the team’s achievements.

United Coach Aurelio Vidmar said it was a privilege to be greeted by such a reception, which included South Australian Premier, the Honourable Mike Rann and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, the Honourable Michael Wright.

“It’s unbelievable. We heard that there might be a few supporters turning up here, but to walk out and see so many fans, it shows us the fantastic support that we’ve got and it’s just tremendous,” Vidmar said.

“Certainly it is a fantastic moment for the club and everyone is really rapt to get into any Final, let alone an Asian Champions League Final so we’re really pleased and we’d like to go another step further if we can.”

As remarkable as the achievement is, Vidmar said the result is all the more significant considering what the Reds have been up against in terms of the money and resources of the clubs they have come up against.

“With all the restraints in terms of the resources and what we were up against, especially on this trip, to go there and look pretty comfortable for most of the game, it was probably the best 1-nil loss we’ve ever had so it was really pleasing,” Vidmar said.

“We were up against it but I was really proud with the way they rolled up their sleeves and put all the little problems that they had aside to focus and get the job done so it was just a heroic effort from our players.”

Captain Travis Dodd described Wednesday night’s historic Semi Final win (on aggregate) over Bunyodkor/Kuruvchi as a dream come true, but admitted the extent of what they had accomplished had not yet sunk in.

“So far it is a dream, and it’s a dream come true. The guys did fantastically well on Wednesday and to come home and get this reception has been fantastic,” Dodd said.

“It’s hard because you don’t really get a chance to think about it with all of the travelling and then we’ve got another game tomorrow in the A-League so we’re always on the go. Maybe in a week or so we’ll realise where we’re going.”

As well as jet lag, The Reds will carry a number of sore bodies home as they attempt to recover for tomorrow’s important Hyundai A-League match against Perth Glory at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Despite the short turnaround, Dodd says the players know what is required against the Glory.

“The boys are professional enough to know that we’ve got a job to do tomorrow and I’m sure they will go out and do it properly,” Dodd said.

United defeated Bunyodkor/Kuruvchi 3-1 on aggregate to reach the AFC Champions League Final, where they will come up against Japan’s Gamba Osaka. The two legs will be played on November 5 in Japan and November 12 at Hindmarsh Stadium.