With three games remaining in the 2009/10 Hyundai A-League season, Sydney FC know just how crucial their away fixture against the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night is and are determined to return home with all three points.
With three games remaining in the 2009/10 Hyundai A-League season, Sydney FC know just how crucial their away fixture against the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night is and are determined to return home with all three points.
Sky Blues striker John Aloisi, who will make his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance this weekend, has been declared fit and will play an integral role in the club-s pursuit of its fourteenth win of the season.
“We want to finish top of the league so really we have to win all three remaining games to do that. So this is an important game for us,” Aloisi said.
“It-s going to be pretty open if they come out and try and win the game. It could play in our favour because it-ll be an attacking game and as a striker you like attacking games and open play.
With Mark Bridge unavailable through injury, Aloisi is keen to build on his goal tally for the season.
“It-s been good to get playing again, get regular game time. I-ve been happy with the recent form and hopefully I can continue on into the finals,” he said.
Despite the Roar-s recent form, having only gained one point from their past four games, Aloisi recognises the threat they pose.
“I expect them to be up for this game. They have got some older pros that work really hard, especially the ones in the midfield like Matt McKay and [Massimo] Murdocca and then they have young players like Tommy Oar that want to prove how good they are,” Aloisi said.
“We know they-ve had their problems but we just have to concentrate on our game and not worry about their game.”
The head-to-head ledger stands at 1-all this season, with each side claiming home wins – Brisbane 1-0 in Round 8 and Sydney FC 2-1 in Round 12.
“We expect a tough game over there because they play good football and they also have a chance to reach the top six,” coach Viteslav Lavicka said.
“I have a good feeling from our players. They are hungry for success.”
The Sky Blues depart Sydney at 9:45am tomorrow morning and will training in Brisbane that evening.
Sydney FC squad: 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 3.Stephan KELLER, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 6.Karol KISEL, 7.Brendan GAN, 8.Stuart MUSIALIK, 9.John ALOISI, 10.Steve CORICA (c), 12.Shannon COLE, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry MCFLYNN, 16.Chris PAYNE, 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 22.Sung-Hwan BYUN, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 26 Hayden FOXE
*one to be omitted*
In: Nil
Out: Mark BRIDGE (Toe – 4 weeks)
Unavailable: Kofi DANNING (knee – season), Matthew JURMAN (foot – season), Sebastian RYALL (knee – 3 weeks)
