Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica praised the ruthlessness of his squad following their 7-0 win over a Far North Queensland Football Select XI in Cairns on Saturday night.
Heading in two goals up at half time, a five goal salvo in the second half at Barlow Park saw the Sky Blues run away with the match, and Corica said it was pleasing to see his halftime instructions carried out.
“It was a nice result,” Corica said.
“The boys kept going after one or two goals and that was the message at halftime, not to let up.
“We’re preparing for the start of the season and need to have that habit of goalscoring so the result was great.
“We thought we were going to have a lot of the ball and it’s difficult the break down defences when they’re compact but we have to find ways. The boys did find ways to score goals and that’s great.”
On target for the Sky Blues were new boys Kosta Barbarouses and Alex Baumjohann, which particularly pleased Corica, as the Sydney FC boss stressed the importance of this final month of pre-season.
“The new boys all scored which is great. Kosta scored two, Baumjohann got one which is great and the young boys scored too,” he said.
“I see these boys every day at training so I know what they can do.
“It’s good everyone stayed fit as well which is another positive. They’re fighting for a place in the starting team and everyone is pushing each other to be better and get into the starting eleven come October.
“We’re pleased with the way we’re going,” he continued.
“The players are nice and fresh and ready for the run into the start of the season. We’ve got four games to go, all against A-League opposition and that will stand us in good stead.
“We’ll know after that where we are.”
A Queensland boy himself, Corica talked up the quality of players in the Cairns region while setting his sights on a return with Sydney FC in the 2020 pre-season.
“I’m from this region and I know there’s a lot of talented players from up here,” said Corica.
“There’s talk of us coming back next year again, and maybe a few other A-League teams as well, and that can only be great for the football and community up here.”
Sydney FC continue training in Cairns on Monday and Tuesday before returning to Sydney as preparations ramp up with the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 season kicking off in one month.
