Sydney FC Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo says his side’s mentality and desire to improve has remained unchanged despite the Sky Blues carrying momentum into Saturday night’s Semi Final First Leg against Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues booked their place in the final four with an impressive Elimination Final win and now face a Newcastle Jets side boasting the league’s most potent attack, while Sydney FC enter the clash with the competition’s best defensive record.
For Kisnorbo, however, the emphasis remains firmly on his own side.
“We know they’re a good team,” he said.
“But the main focus is on what we do, how we prepare and how we go about the game on Saturday.”
Since arriving at the Club, Kisnorbo has overseen an unbeaten run and quickly earned praise from players for the detail and intensity he has brought to the training ground.
The former Socceroo said working with a coachable group has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his short time in charge.
“I’m very lucky to coach coachable players,” he said.
“It’s great to share knowledge with players that want to learn and get better.
“The squad collectively have done that and they’ve been great so far. They want to learn, they want to get better and that’s what you want to work with.”
One player drawing widespread attention is young defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins, while fellow rising talent Paul Okon-Engstler was recently tipped by Socceroos Head Coach Tony Popovic as a future national team star.
Kisnorbo welcomed the praise but stressed the importance of consistency.
“It’s obviously a great compliment from Tony,” he said.
“But what’s got him in this position is being consistent, being focused and trying to get better every day.”
Kisnorbo also highlighted the mindset of goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares, who has impressed both on and off the pitch with his professionalism and mental preparation.
“The mental part of the game is probably the most important,” he said.
“He wants to get better every day, he prepares himself mentally, he’s humble and he’s great to coach.”
Sydney FC could also receive a timely boost with Joe Lolley continuing his recovery from injury.
The experienced winger was an unused substitute in the Elimination Final and Kisnorbo said the Club is taking a measured approach with his return.
“We know Joe’s coming back from a long injury and we’ve got to be right in the way we use him,” he said.
“But the fact that he’s training at the level we like is great.
“If you asked me five weeks ago, I think the story looked different because it was such a big injury, but he’s working hard and training hard.”
The Semi Final will be played over two legs, with Sydney FC hosting the opening encounter before travelling to Newcastle for the return fixture.
Despite the added complexity of knockout football, Kisnorbo insists his approach will not change.
“Every game’s important,” he said.
“We’re just looking forward to the occasion tomorrow.”
Saturday night’s clash also shapes as another huge occasion at Allianz Stadium, with the Sky Blues aiming to take a crucial advantage into the second leg against one of the league’s form sides.
