Adelaide United have confirmed experienced central defender Bart Vriends will be out for a number of weeks after sustaining a leg injury ahead of the club’s opening game of the AFC Champions League Two.
Named to start the home clash against against Hong Kong outfit Tai Po, Vriends was a late withdrawal from the squad after sustaining a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
Whilst the club has not specified the exact amount of time Vriends will be sidelined for they have confirmed the Dutchman won’t travel to Perth this coming week as part of the Reds’ pre-season plans.
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Furthermore the 35-year-old is also likely to be a doubt for the club’s second ACL Two group stage match against Thai outfit BG Pathum United on October 15.
The good news for Reds fans is that Vriends is highly likely to be fit for the club’s season opener.
Adelaide were initially scheduled to face Brisbane Roar in Matchweek 1 of the 2026/27 A-League Men season however that game as now been shifted to a later date owing to their AFC Champions League Two participation.
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AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – MAY 09: Hiroki Sakai of Auckland FC and Bart Vriends of Adelaide United lead their teams out during leg one of the A-League Men Semi Final series between Auckland FC and Adelaide United at Go Media Stadium, on May 09, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The Reds will now kick off their 2026/27 campaign with an away game against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, October 25.
Vriends proved to be a pivotal member of the Adelaide United backline last season, playing 22 games and totalling 1888 minutes as Airton Andrioli’s side finished second during the regular season.
The Reds were then defeated by eventual Champions Auckland FC in the semi-finals.
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