Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka feels his side must capitalise on the wealth of goal scoring opportunities they create if they want to beat North Queensland at the SFS on Wednesday night (7:30pm kick-off).
Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka has demanded improvement in the final third as his side aim to break their season duck when they face North Queensland Fury at the Sydney Football Stadium tomorrow (kick off 7.30).
The Sky Blues have found the net just five times in the last six games, a statistic that Lavicka has pinpointed as a key factor in the difficult start to the campaign.
“We just need to score the goals. We-ve been suffering from the same problem all season, we-re finding it difficult to score,” Lavicka said.
“We need to improve in the final third and be more creative. We-re creating the chances but at this level it-s not enough, we need to be aggressive as well.
“We have to get players wide and get the crosses in early.”
However, despite the winless run, Lavicka remains in positive spirits and maintains that the squad is capable of success.
“It-s frustrating that we are still chasing that first victory, but I cannot criticise the players. They-ve done very little wrong and they continue to work hard,” Lavicka said.
“The players and the coaching staff are all staying positive. I think we have the quality players and there-s a good chance for some of our players to play for the Socceroos.
“We-re focusing on team quality and preparing fully for the game against North Queensland.
The visitors haven-t won since their victory over the Sky Blues in round 2, but Lavicka says that Sydney FC won-t be underestimating their opponents.
“We know [North Queensland] have an enthusiastic young side with strong defenders,” Lavicka said.
“We lost to them in round two so this game provides us with a good opportunity to get our own back and cut the gap between us. We all firmly believe that the whole team as an attacking force can get the first victory.
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Sydney FC v North Queensland Fury
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Local Kick-off: 7:30pm
Referee: Ryan Shepheard
Assistant referees: Murray Wilson and Daniel Dewhurst
Fourth official: Kurt Ams
Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 12. Shannon COLE, 13. Antony GOLEC, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 17. Matt JURMAN, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, *two to be omitted*
In: 13. Antony GOLEC (returns from national team duty)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 10. Nicky CARLE (toe – 2 weeks), 11. Kofi DANNING (Young Socceroos), 16. Terry ANTONIS (Young Socceroos), 23. Rhyan GRANT (Young Socceroos), Dimitri PETRATOS (Young Socceroos)
North Queensland Fury squad: 1. Justin PASFIELD (gk), 2. Jack HINGERT, 3. Brad McDONALD, 4. Eric AKOTO, 5. Mark HUGHES, 7. Gareth EDDS (c), 9. Eugene SSEPPUYA, 10. Dyron DAAL, 11. David WILLIAMS, 12. Panagiotis NIKAS, 13. Andre KILIAN, 14. Chris GROSSMAN, 15. Chris PAYNE, 16. Simon STOREY, 17. Osama MALIK, 18. Brett STUDMAN, 19. Isaka CERNAK, 21. Jason SPAGNUOLO, 28. Sebastian USAI (gk)
*four to be omitted*
In: 9. Eugene SSEPPUYA (returns visa issue), 10. Dyron DAAL (returns hamstring), 13. Andre KILIAN (returns foot injury), 15. Chris PAYNE (returns national team duty), 19. Isaka CERNAK (returns national team duty)
Out: 6. Ufuk TALAY (c) (2 match suspension)
Unavailable: 6. Ufuk Talay (suspended – 2 weeks), 8. Adam CASEY (calf – 1 week), 20. Matthew HAM (knee – 3 weeks)
Head to Head: All matches (played 4): Sydney FC wins 2, North Queensland Fury wins 2 (0 draws)
