Ramsey out to cause mayhem29 May 2012-SBS EXCLUSIVE: Philip Micallef
Flying winger Iain Ramsey is fast emerging as one of Adelaide United's most dangerous weapons for its clash with Nagoya Grampus in the Asian Champions League.
Kennedy a big threat against Adelaide
Ramsey is in blistering form and is expected to pose a serious threat to the Japanese club in the one-off round of 16 clash at Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday night.
Adelaide sprang a surprise by finishing top of its round-robin that featured seasoned campaigners Pohang Steelers, Gamba Osaka and Bunyodkor.
And the 2010 National Youth League player of the year said that his first taste of Asian club football's blue riband event is one that he will treasure for a long time.
"To finish top of our group was great after all the negative press we were getting," Ramsey, 24, explained.
"The media told us we were in the group of death and nobody gave us a chance.
"So each win was memorable, particularly the one at home over Pohang Steelers, when Bruce Djite scored in the last few moments after a move I was involved in.
"When the ball went in I got a the feeling the like of which I had not felt for a long time.
"The atmosphere at Hindmarsh was brilliant that night and come Tuesday we should get a bigger number of fans.
"It's been a rollercoaster every year with our crowds.
"We did not do too well in the A-League season and that may have affected us crowd wise.
"But we have turned it around in the Champions League and it is a fact that when the team is winning the fans will come so hopefully we'll get a good turnout of about 12,000 or more against Nagoya because we will need it."
Ramsey, who has played in all six group games, could not speak highly enough of the experience.
"I think it is good to participate in a competition like this where you have to face the best teams in Asia," he said.
"It takes your game to a new level and gives us as a team a test as to where we are in terms of the cream of the continent."
Ramsey now realises that playing in Asia is far more demanding because some things you can get away with in the A-League are just not on in the ACL.
"I think the big difference between the A-League and the Champions League is that you have to take your chances in Asia," he said.
"With the quality that we are up against if you don't take your opportunities you get punished because the opposition will capitalise on the chances that they get.
"They are all quality teams in the ACL and they are there for a reason."
Ramsey is expecting another tough game against Josh Kennedy's Nagoya team that has hit a patch of poor form to find itself in the bottom half of the table, which suggests that Dragan Stojkovic's team might be vulnerable.
But Ramsey is adamant that coach John Kosmina will not go for broke and will stick to his tried and trusted one-striker system that has brought the Reds much success.
"I don't think Kossie will change the formation," Ramsey said.
"He believes that if it ain't broke you don't fix it so Bruce should start and Sergio Van Dijk should come off the bench at some stage as an impact player.
"This system of a lone striker has worked well for us and Serge did well in our last game when he came on and opened the scoring.
"As for my game, it won't change whether we play with one or two strikers.
"Bruce and Serge are good at holding up the ball and I suppose this gives us another outlet.
"However I am a natural winger and my job is to get past the defender and get crosses in and create havoc. That does not change."
Ramsey, who is called 'Rambo' by his teammates, made a name for himself as an attacking left-sided winger but if there is one flaw in his game then it would appear to be his lack of goals.
In two A-League seasons with the Reds he has scored only six goals from 55 matches.
"It's always good to get on the scoresheet and from an individual point of view I would love to score a few more goals," he conceded.
"But it's always about the team and it is nice to set up some goals and create some assists.
"In fact providing an assist definitely gives me as much satisfaction as scoring.
"I'm happy with the way I've been playing and I'm enjoying it."
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