Sydney FC skipper Alessandro Del Piero has warned his finals-chasing side not to look past a desperate Wellington if they want to secure their spot in the Hyundai A-League top six.
Sydney FC skipper Alessandro Del Piero has warned his finals-chasing side not to look past a desperate Wellington if they want to secure their spot in the Hyundai A-League top six.
The Sky Blues hold a one-point lead to the Newcastle Jets ahead of their final two games against the Phoenix and last-placed Perth Glory.
With both those fixtures to be played on Sydney’s home turf at Allianz Stadium, many believe Frank Farina’s side will get the job done against two sides in the lower reaches of the table.
But the Italian legend is experienced to know nothing is a certainty in football and wants his side to focus on the first job at hand – the Phoenix.
“We are excited and we know we have a great possibility but we also must know it will be hard,” Del Piero said on Wednesday.
“At the moment the best thing is to think about is only the next game. What happens after that is a different story.
“The next game will be tough because Wellington still have a little possibility to make the last spot of the playoffs.
“That’s why we have to be aware for everything. We lost against them in Wellington and only won in the last minute in dramatic scenes at home. It’s definitely not going to be easy for us.”
“We have to win. At the moment our future is in our hands if we do great work and win the last two games we’re in.”
While he wouldn’t talk about his future beyond this season, Del Piero insists he’s body is feeling good enough to deliver his best form at the right end of the season.
“The last two (games I missed) it was not really because of injury,” the 39-year-old explained.
“The last one came after seven games of 90 minutes straight which is tough. A week of rest is good sometimes.
“At the end there’s no big injury for me. I have a good season and to finish well is the most important. I hope to do my best on Sunday.”
Del Piero was a part of the ticketing launch for next year’s AFC Asian Cup in Australia on Wednesday in Sydney.
BATTLE FOR THE FINALS AWAITS – With two home games remaining, the battle for finals football is well and truly on for the Sky Blues. First to visit Allianz Stadium is the Wellington Phoenix with Sydney FC-s last minute winner in the previous encounter still fresh in the memory. A week later Perth Glory will visit in what will be a season defining game for the Sky Blues – will finals football beckon? Be at Allianz Stadium to see it all unfold.
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