Adelaide and Canberra looking to start the season well | (Credit: Nick Guoth) Adelaide and Canberra looking to start the season well | (Credit: Nick Guoth)

The lush grass of Hindmarsh Stadium will, as a curtain-raiser to the Hyundai A-League match between Adelaide United and Sydney FC, be an appropriate stage as the Lady Reds seek to begin their rejuvenation as they take on Canberra United.

Former New Zealand U-17 coach David Edmondson has assumed the reins and his youthful looking squad is complemented by the experience offered by new signings Abby Erceg - an ever-present for New Zealand at Germany 2011 - and fellow Kiwi international Anna Green, while USA striker Ashleigh Gunning returns for her second season.

Their opening task is, however, a difficult one with the visiting Canberra United only denied a Grand Final berth last season by the lottery of a penalty shoot-out. Their squad has arguably strengthened in the off-season under the guidance of new coach, former Czech international Jitka Klimkova.

New faces set to feature this weekend include defender Christine Walters returning after a year’s absence, and American striker Taryn Hemmings whose impressive CV includes spending the last two seasons at Boston Breakers. However United will be without injured midfielder Leah Blayney and dual-international Ellyse Perry due to cricket commitments for their visit to Adelaide.

Adelaide United v Canberra United

Saturday 22 October

Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Local kick-off: 1.45pm

Hyundai A-League curtain raiser match

Adelaide United squad: 20. Kristi HARVEY (Gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Anna GREEN, 4. Daniela DI BARTOLO, 5. Abby ERCEG (C), 6. Ebony PHILCOX, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Leanne SLATER, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 12. Greta FRENCH-KENNEDY, 13. Vanessa REED, 14. Donna COCKAYNE, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Grace HENRY, 17. Katherine EBBS, 18. Georgia MACRI, 19. Nenita BURGESS

*two to be omitted*

Unavailable: 1. Sian MCLAREN (injured), 10. Angela FIMMANO (injured), 11. Ashleigh GUNNING (overseas)

Canberra United: 1. Lydia Williams (Gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 4. Christine Walters, 6. Caitlin Munoz, 7. Ellie Brush, 8. Hayley Raso, 9. Grace Gill, 10. Snez Veljanovska, 11. Michelle Heyman, 13. Nicole Sykes, 14. Ashleigh Sykes, 15. Sally Shipard, 18. Taryn Hemmings, 19. Jennifer Bisset, 20. Aroon Clansey (Gk)

Unavailable: Leah Blayney (Injured), Ellyse Perry (Cricket Commitments)