The Sky Blues have received a triple boost ahead of tonight’s game against the Rangers with Nicky Carle, Terry Antonis and Stuart Musialik all to take to the SFS pitch.
Hyundai A-League 2010 Champions Sydney FC have received a triple boost on the eve of their Festival of Football clash with Glasgow Rangers at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight (8:15pm kick-off) with gun midfielders Nicky Carle, Terry Antonis and Stuart Musialik all to receive game time.
Carle and Antonis will return to the fold after short stints recovering from minor injuries whilst Musialik, an integral component of last year-s Championship winning side, will take to the pitch in a competitive match for the first time since the 2009/10 Grand Final.
Antonis and Musialik are returning from hip injuries whilst Carle is fully recovered from a hamstring strain he picked up in a preseason match against the Macarthur Rams on June 22.
“The leg feels excellent so all fit in that regard so I just need some match fitness now,” Carle said. “Obviously as a player you want to play as much as you can.”
“In preseason you want the games to come quick smart but for me the main one is the first A-League game against Melbourne on Saturday August 7 so it is important to get some game time.
“Rangers are going to be great side but I am more worried about myself and our team and fitting in with our players and doing everything right to be ready for Melbourne.”
The match, Sydney FC-s second of the inaugural Festival of Football, will mark Carle-s first appearance at the SFS in Sky Blue.
“It has been an excellent preseason apart from the slight injury. I have worked very hard with Craig Duncan (Head of Human Performance) in getting my fitness up so it is just a matter of getting that game fitness,” Carle said.
“I don-t think anything compares to match practice so I am really keen to get some game time under my belt before the season.
“It was obviously a disappointing result (against AEK Athens). They-re a very good side and they played some very good football but it-s a learning experience for the boys. We will learn from it.”
16-year-old Antonis will play his third game for Sydney FC since signing a three-year contract last month while it will be even more rewarding for Musialik who has put in months of hard work in order to be ready for the first round of the new A-League season.
Tickets for tonight-s double header at the SFS are still available. Contact Ticketek for more information.
