Sydney's Mark Rudan celebrates his winning goal with teammates

A-League © A-League

Sydney FC enforcer Mark Rudan has no doubts where football fans in Wollongong this Friday night should be, if they want to see some fireworks.

Last Sunday the 6,000+ fans that showed up on a cold and wintry evening at WIN Stadium were served with an appertiser for what they can expect to see on Friday night. Rudan expects Wollongong fans will get the main course, when his team hosts its fiercest rival Adelaide United in the Pre-Season Cup semi final.

The two teams met five times last season, including twice in the major semi final, and in there was certainly no love lost between the teams. Rudan expects much the same on Friday and believes sparks will fly once again.

“There’s no doubt it will be a competitive match. Every time we play each other there seems to be a bit in the game, but that’s good because both teams are super competitive and that’s the way it should be,” Rudan said.

“There is an intense rivalry between Sydney FC and Adelaide and this will be no different. When we step onto the field against Adelaide we know we are in for a war, they are a great team, and we meet them again in a semi final so it should be interesting.”

Sydney FC holds the edge over Adelaide with three wins from the five meetings, with one draw and the one solitary win for Adelaide. However each match was closely fought, with only a goal separating the teams, excluding the draw.

Rudan, who scored the winning goal that sent Sydney through to the grand final at Adelaide’s expense last season, believes despite the intensity the rivalry is more out of respect for the each other.

“I think are games (Sydney FC v Adelaide) are so intense and so hard because there is a genuine respect for each other amongst the players,” Rudan said. “Adelaide has a great side and they won the Minor Premiership last year and we all respect them as players and as a side.

“The rivalry is sparked by mutual respect because before and after a game there are quite a few of us who are friends with guys in the Adelaide team but that friendship will be put on hold for 90 minutes on Friday night in Wollongong.”

“It’s going to be another great game and I know it’s a cliché but football will be the winner,” Rudan said. “Every time we play there is plenty of action and plenty of goals and this will be no different. The people of Wollongong are in for a treat on Friday night.”

Tickets for Friday night’s clash, which kicks off at 7.30pm, go on sale through Ticketek at 9am on Tuesday. Bookings can be made by phone (132 849), at any Ticketek outlet or via the internet at www.ticketek.com.au.