Ante Juric is back for 2024/25 and will be aiming for a third consecutive Championship and fourth Premiership in five years.
On Saturday afternoon, the season gets underway for his ladies against the Central Coast Mariners and he can’t wait to get started once again and is ready to give it all in the pursuit of greatness.
“We know this is going to be a tough season ahead of us and we have plenty of work ahead of us but we are ready.
“Our first priority has been getting the fitness which for a lot of these girls has been tough with such a long off season and with some away on international duty the squad is at different levels but we won’t be at 100% fitness wise, that will come later in the season,” Juric said.
This weekend, Sydney FC will open their season in Gosford, a place where they drew 0-0 at last season and ground out a tough 1-0 victory in the first leg of the Semi Final and this time around, Ante Juric is expecting nothing less from the hosts.
“Because we’ve won the league, every single team who plays against us thinks it is a final and we expect the same on Saturday.
“Central Coast will probably play the same gritty way that they did last season in their first season of the competition so it’s going to be tough,” Juric added.
“We know every game that we are going to have to earn the right to play so that is no different on the weekend.”
The Head Coach will welcome back his captain Nat Tobin after she ruptured her ACL and missed majority of last season and he is looking forward to seeing her in action this Saturday.
“She is like a new signing having her back and she is the number one defender in the league, that’s how good she is.
“Having her on the field with her experience and quality is just phenomenal,” he said.
“She’s not at her best right now but being out for 12 months, that is completely expected and we love having her back.”
Having been the most successful side in Ninja A-League history in recent times, Sydney FC has always had a target on their backs.
Despite this target, Ante Juric doesn’t feel the pressure.
“I don’t feel one inch of pressure because for me it is just normality”
“You want to be in this position and for me if we are not, then I haven’t done my job properly.
“The way we look at it is if we give everything of yourself then whatever comes of that will be that.
“In recent years, success has come from giving everything,” he said.
“I know we are going to give everything and that is a guarantee from us players and staff and when you have a good team which I think we do, then you have every chance to succeed, so we won’t lose that drive.
“You do need a bit of luck and that but we’re not saying we’re going to win it or not win it, but we’ll definitely give it a go and give absolutely everything towards that goal,” Juric concluded.
Match Details
Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC
Ninja A-League Round One
saturday 2nd November 2024
Industree Group Stadium, Gosford, NSW
Kick Off: 2:15pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+, 10Play & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
