Monday, 17 November 2003 12:00 AM
Australia’s youngest national soccer team is set to invade the country’s oldest NSL club when Adelaide United takes on South Melbourne this Sunday at Bob Jane Stadium.
In a program emulating the invasion by AFL fans from Adelaide, more than 15 busloads of fans will make the pilgrimage to Melbourne for this week’s match.
“The challenge has been thrown out to our supporters and the Melbourne sporting public in general,” said South CEO Mark Patterson today.
Not in recent history has an interstate team been able to create the passion and success for its fans in the what Adelaide has done so far this season.” The club has been successful on the field with two wins and two draws from its five games in its inaugural season.
“It would be embarrassing for South if we were unable to meet this challenge, particularly after a great performance yesterday when the team captured an historic 5 nil victory in the local derby at Somers Street against the Melbourne Knights” said Patterson.
Club captain and NSL leading goal scorer Vaughan Coveny also joined the chorus for support after watching his fellow Rugby Union team the All Blacks train at Bob Jane Stadium this afternoon, “I believe we are playing a brand of soccer that is exciting and that the fans will really enjoy. With the added incentive of meeting the Adelaide supporter invasion head-on, it should be enough to spur us to victory again” said Coveny.
Patterson confirmed that Socceroos coach Frank Farina would also be the club’s special guest at this Sunday’s game. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.