ADELAIDE United boss Marco Kurz will this weekend get his first taste of the lengthy distances travelled by A-League clubs during the season

But the new Reds boss is looking forward to kicking off the A-League campaign against Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on Sunday after a long and intensive preseason.

Kurz’s longest road trip as a coach in Germany was about 800km — from Munich to Hamburg — in the same time zone.

On Friday, Kurz and his squad will embark on the Reds’ biggest travel challenge when United flies 3217km to Wellington.

media_camera Reds coach Marco Kurz congratulates Jordan Elsey after the final whistle of the FFA Cup clash with Melbourne Victory. Picture: Sarah Reed

Kurz’s Reds will have to reset their body clocks back by 2.5 hours to adjust to New Zealand time after daylight saving already tampered with their physiology by an hour a week ago.

But Kurz is confident his Australian-raised players will comfort the new foreigners Daniel Adlung, Karim Matmour and Johan Absalonsen as a whole new set of tangibles is about to test what the trio have been used to in terms of away games in European leagues.

And with Adelaide expected to land in Wellington about midnight New Zealand time on Friday, Kurz and his new men will encounter their first psychological hurdle on the road.

“I feel good after this long and intensive preseason,’’ Kurz said after Reds training at Elizabeth.

“We are happy to start against Wellington, it’s different (now) from friendly games.

“The players know the travel, they know the time difference, for me it’s not a problem.”

Kurz’s men will train in Wellington on Saturday before he is destined to finalise his starting XI.

Kurz does have a formidable battle on his hands despite Phoenix missing All Whites international captain Andrew Durante, Tom Doyle and Michael McGlinchey who will face Japan away on Friday night.

Phoenix will also have a small flavour of the Reds to contend with, led by ex United midfielder Dario Vidosic, 30, who is expected to start his first A-League match for his new club.

So too is ex Reds defender Daniel Mullen, 27, who Kurz does know something about when he trialled for the German during preseason before winning a contract with Phoenix.

The home side is also expected to give impressive 18-year-old academy goalkeeper Keegan Smith a start.

“When a young goalkeeper after a long preseason starts, maybe he is better than the other one,’’ Kurz said.

“But we have respect for every team, it’s a strong team, the first game for every team is difficult, you feel good but you don’t know.”

Kurz is also adamant Adelaide will face Wellington with only a winning mentality, refuting the notion the Reds will play for a draw.

“Every game we start we will go for a win, not to lose or to play for a draw,’’ Kurz said.

“Even when I play cards with my daughters I want to win.”