Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica has praised his two new international signings Siem de Jong and Adam Le Fondre ahead of their first competitive minutes for the club in the FFA Cup on Wednesday night.
While Corica didn’t confirm whether they’d start the match, the Sky Blues’ boss said they’d settled in well on and off the pitch and said there was plenty more to come from them following their promising pre-season form.
“They’re raring to go,” Corica said of the pair.
“Everything has come through for them, they’ve played two friendly games now with us so they’re getting to know the boys a lot better and they’re ready to go as well.
“I think the way they’ve fitted into the team [has impressed him the most]. They’re great guys, they’ve fitted in really well and both of their families are out here now so that’s great as well.
“They’re top guys which is great to fit into the culture of the club and quality players, that’s obviously the key as well. You’ll see a lot more of them as the games go on I think.
“We’re 11 weeks in pre-season so they’re full fit,” he continued.
“Obviously [we’re] preparing for the start of the season but this is a Cup game, the attitude needs to be right, we need to be prepared correctly which we are, and all the boys are raring to go.”
There will be familiar faces in the Avondale side for Wednesday’s Quarter Final, with goalkeeper Chris Oldfield an injury replacement signing with Sydney FC in 2016 and Jonatan Germano spending four seasons at Melbourne City, as Corica said the squad were well prepared for the test ahead.
“He [Oldfield] was with us, he trained with us for quite a while so we know him well,” Corica said.
“They’ve got a good strike force as well, Boland, Sheppard, Germano if he plays as well, so we’ve looked at them but our focus is really on the way we want to play, our structure, our discipline, our attitude, that’s all important for that game on Wednesday night.
“It’s an important phase for us in pre-season,” he continued.
“We want to put out a very good performance. It’s a tough game, they’re doing very well in their league, they’re in the Final on the weekend, I think, after our game.
“We’ve definitely looked at them and made sure we’ve done our research and prepared for the game and we’re looking forward to it.”
#WatchWithUs on Wednesday night as Sydney FC face Avondale FC away in the FFA Cup Quarter Finals. Catch the match broadcast live on Fox Sports and on the My Football Live App (kick off 7:30pm).
