NPL Round 9 Preview: Adelaide City vs Campbelltown City

Adelaide City defender Yared Abetew insists it is about sticking to the process following consecutive defeats in the RAA National Premier League.

The Black and Whites welcome Campbelltown City to Adelaide City Park in Round 9 on Saturday night, determined to bounce back.

Vas Parhas’ side has suffered successive 1-0 league defeats to Sturt Lions and West Torrens Birkalla either side of a 4-1 Federation Cup win over Gawler Eagles.

Despite the pair of 1-0 setbacks, Abetew believed the two losses were not identical in nature, but admitted the team is working on improving their creativity in attack.

“I think that was a game we weren’t at our best (against Sturt Lions) and they managed to sit in a deep block really well and probably deserved to get three points,” he told the club’s official website.

“Last week was a bit different, I think we put in a good shift and probably deserved at least a point out of it.

“But they were able to stick the ball in the back of the net, and we haven’t been able to do that for two weeks now (in the league).

“So it’s probably our biggest focus to have a bit more composure in the final third and we’ve been working hard at training and we know what we need to do so it’s all about executing this week.”

The Red Devils come into the clash also off a defeat after falling 2-1 at home to Croydon Kings and lie in seventh place with 11 points, three adrift of fourth-placed City.

Abetew said while Campbelltown are a quality outfit the focus will be on themselves and improving certain areas of the pitch.

“We know Campbelltown are a strong side, but we’re not focusing too much on them,” he said.

“We’re just focussing on our own strengths and it’s very important we stay disciplined and confident and stick to the process.

“Because it’s still very early on in the season and we want to pick up our form again going into this week and not really focussing too much on Campbelltown.

“Obviously we know the qualities they have and the success they’ve had over the past few years. So we don’t underestimate them either.”

The Zebras have scored 17 goals and conceded an equal-best nine so far this campaign.

Abetew was adamant everyone has a responsibility to contribute when it comes to scoring goals, not just the forwards.

“When you’re not scoring you tend to look at the strikers, or the attacking players but I think goals can come from anyone regardless of where they’re playing on the pitch,” stated the 26-year-old.

“It can come anyone in the back four, set-pieces – we’ve had opportunities to score and we haven’t had success doing that.

“But I think we do get in the right sort of areas, it’s just a matter of putting it in the back of the net.”

The centre-back felt they can also improve defensively, given they have kept just the solitary clean sheet this season which occurred in Round 2 – a 4-0 rout of Croydon.

“But it’s not just going forward, I think we need to get better (in defence as well) so we need to get better at that,” he continued.

“We’ve got a process it’s a matter of sticking to that and trying to execute it to the best we can against Campbelltown.”

Match Details

Adelaide City vs Campbelltown City

RAA National Premier League – Round 9

Saturday, 9 May 2026

Kick-off: 7:00pm

Adelaide City Park