Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Adelaide: Adelaide United skipper Eugene Galekovic has challenged his team-mates to begin staking a claim for a place in the starting line up for the 2012 ACL quarter-final first-leg with Bunyodkor with a strong performance in Wednesday's friendly against Adelaide Hills Hawks.
The Reds are currently training in Strathalbyn and the match against the State League side represents the first run out for the 2008 ACL runners-up in the build up to their meeting with the Uzbeks.
And Galekovic wants the Reds to hit the ground running.
"The Asian Champions League is only ten weeks away so it's a chance for the boys to prove themselves to show they're good enough for the starting eleven," the two-time A-League keeper of the year told Adelaide United's official website.
"It's enjoyable going to these regions and hopefully there a lot of kids that came out and have a look on Wednesday night," Galekovic continued.
"Back in my day when I used to go and watch my idols, it used to stay in my memory for a long time and hopefully with us going up there it can inspire them."
Adelaide, who have already played Bunyodkor in the Group Stage of this year's ACL, winning 2-1 in Tashkent before playing out a goalless draw at home, entertain the Uzbeks in the first-leg of their last-eight battle on September 19 before travelling to Central Asia for the return fixture on October 3.
Photo: AFP