After a bewildering result against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday afternoon, Steve Corica’s side will be hoping to bounce back into the winners column with victory over bottom of the table Perth Glory in Western Australia.
It will be the chance for the Sky Blues to move back into the top six with a victory at Macedonia Park, a feat which no visiting team has managed so far this season with the Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar the most recent to experience that scalp.
In dramatic fashion in the Sydney’s last outing, Adam Le Fondre found luck was not on his side after two stoppage time penalties failed to find the net and the three points drifted away from the Sky Blues.
For this clash however, Steve Corica will be without Patrick Yazbek who came off with concussion, however Luke Brattan’s return from illness and Joe Lolley’s return from suspension will be a welcome sight to Sydney FC fans. Both players have been instrumental in the good that Sydney FC have achieved this season, Brattan controlling the midfield and Lolley being a constant attacking threat.
In the last meeing between both sides in Perth, Pat Yazbek got onto the scoresheet for the very first time in a Sydney FC shirt with his side running out 2-0 winners. With HBF Park undergoing renovations, the Glory have been playing out of Macedonia Park and the small venue has been advantageous to their form.
After spending the first six weeks of the season on the road, with fans packed on all sides, Macedonia Park brings a party atmosphere to the Isuzu UTE A-League. No visiting team is yet to come away with all three points from the venue, with Perth most recently claiming the scalp of Warren Moon’s Brisbane Roar on Tuesday night.
After a slow start to life following a disappointing 2021/22 season, Ruben Zadkovich has marshalled his troops well considering the factors against them, sitting with four wins and 13 points, sitting level with Sydney FC
With A-League All Access tracking Zadkovich for their first win at their new home, it demonstrated his passion for the game, driving his players onto reach their full potential, something he is sure to repeat on Saturday night.
As they begin their home run of matches, this is the Glory’s chance to leapfrog teams on the table and a win will catapult them into the top six, a position they have been away from for a number of years.
Late on Saturday night, this clash means a lot to both sides and you can expect the action to be intense on the pitch.
Ones to Watch
Mustafa Amini – Perth Glory
Mustafa Amini arrived at Perth Glory this season after a brief stint at the Sky Blues following his return from Greece. The midfielder found the net once for Sydney FC after he joined in January 2022 and never nailed down a starting spot in the side.
When the former Socceroos was looking for a new club, Perth Glory swooped in and have given Amini the captains arm-band this season thanks to his playing experience which has seen him play in Greece, Denmark and Germany after a successful spell with the Central Coast Mariners when he was younger. Trusted by Zadkovich to be the key to success at the Glory, he has lived up to the billing.
Under the lights of Macedonia Park, expect Amini to be involved as he attempts to make a statement in front of his former club.
Anthony Cacerers – Sydney FC
Sydney’s attacking midfielder Anthony Cacerers has had another fantastic start to the season as he is involved in every asset of attacking play for the Sky Blues. Dubbed as one of the most skilful in the league, he will drift past players with ease as he demonstrated on Saturday when quick ball movement left the Phoenix defence in his wake and on the floor.
Caceres scored in the 3-1 loss to Brisbane Roar and has been pivotal to the Sky Blues, floating around the park and picking up the ball in dangerous areas. He found the net twice in pre-season and will be hoping to get more attacking returns, however his selflessness is often prevalent, setting up his team-mates instead. Caceres is one player that you cannot take you eyes off when he has the ball at his feet and this Saturday should be no different. Starting each of the previous 11 matches, he will be right back into the starting eleven for the challenge of Perth.
Match Details
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 12
Saturday 14th January 2022
Macedonia Park, Perth, WA
Kick Off: 10:30pm AEDT (7:30pm Local)
Broadcast Live: Paramount+
Tickets: Click Here
