It’s been more than four weeks since Sydney FC last tasted victory, and the side hasn’t won a game at home since September but John Kosmina’s men are confident the tide is about to turn in their favour, starting this weekend when they face the Wellington Phoenix.
It-s been more than four weeks since Sydney FC last tasted victory, and the side hasn-t won a game at home since September but John Kosmina-s men are confident the tide is about to turn in their favour, starting this weekend when they face the Wellington Phoenix.
The Phoenix are a physical side and have stolen a result against the Sky Blues both times the two teams have met this season. Sydney knows it-s in for a battle if it-s to take the points this Sunday but believes it-s ready to rise to the challenge.
“We-ve got to be up for the fight with Wellington, that-s why they-ve done so well this season,” said coach Kosmina.
“They-re just a grinding team, similar to the Central Coast, not technically as good as the Central Coast but they match you physically, they hit you twice as hard,” added Sydney striker, Mark Bridge. “It-s just a matter of matching them on the field, being just as intense.”
Sitting six points off fourth place with only three matches remaining, Sydney is seemingly out of title contention but refuses to completely concede its season just yet.
“Queensland could lose four games and we could win three, same with the Wellington Phoenix as well. Mathematically there-s still a hope,” said the Sydney mentor. “It-ll be a battle for the fourth spot. Everyone needs to get results, I mean this weekend will decide it – if Queensland get a result then they-re uncatchable from our point of view.”
Even if the finals do prove to be out of reach the Sky Blues still have plenty to play for. Kosmina will continue to pursue a youth policy over the closing rounds of the competition, with a view to rebuilding for the future.
“That-s why we-ve got kids playing this weekend, why Zach (Cairncross) will start, why Rhyan Grant will start, why Kofi Danning-s on the bench – Chris Payne will probably come into the squad as well, why Brendan Gan-s starting,” explained Kosmina.
“It-s an opportunity to blood some youngsters and see how we go because the guys that have been there, for whatever reasons it hasn-t worked out like we wanted it to.”
However Sydney lines up on Sunday, the side is determined to stop its slide.
“Things haven-t gone our way, we-re in the situation we-re in now and we still want to finish as high as possible,” said Bridge. “The boys are all professionals and we-re going to go out and try and win the last three games.”
Sydney-s round-19 clash with Wellington kicks-off at the Sydney Football Stadium at 6pm on Sunday.
