Leichhardt Oval will host Hyundai A-League football for the first time when Sydney FC face Central Coast Mariners on Sunday (kick-off 5.00pm AEDT).
Leichhardt Oval will host Hyundai A-League football for the first time when Sydney FC face the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday (kick-off 5.00pm AEDT).
The venue, located in Sydney’s inner west, should see a big crowd as Head Coach Steve Corica’s Sky Blues look to bounce back from a surprise defeat in Queensland to Brisbane Roar.
Leichhardt Oval is one of three venues Sydney FC will host matches at in the 2018/19 Season, with the club also playing home fixtures at Jubilee Oval and the SCG during the re-development of Allianz Stadium.
And if this clash is anything like the last meeting between the two sides, fans are in for a treat.
The Mariners took the lead on that occasion before Alex Brosque struck his first Hyundai A-League hat-trick in a highly entertaining 5-2 win for Sydney FC.
It’s part of an incredible run the Sky Blues have had against the Mariners in recent years, losing just one of their last 14 games against the club from Gosford.
Despite the differences between the two sides on the league table – Sydney FC sit third and the Mariners last – do not expect the visitors to go to Leichhardt Oval with the intention of defending for 90 minutes.
Mariners boss Mike Mulvey took full responsibility for his rock-bottom side’s 2-0 loss against Western Sydney Wanderers last week, believing a series of defensive-minded training sessions in the build-up robbed his side of their attacking instincts.
Particularly concerning for Mulvey was how his side carried no attacking threat in the first half so the Mariners are likely to come out firing.
Key Opta stats
- Sydney FC have won their last six Hyundai A-League fixtures played in Sydney – but this will be the first-ever fixture played at Leichhardt Oval.
- Central Coast Mariners have led at half-time on three occasions in their last Hyundai five A-League games away from home; however, they’ve gone on to lose each game in that period.
- The Sky Blues have conceded just eight second-half goals this Hyundai A-League season, the joint-fewest of any team in the competition alongside Melbourne City.
Ins and Outs
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Aaron CALVER, 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 16. Reza GHOOCHANNEJHAD, 17.Anthony CACERES, 20.Alex CISAK (gk), 21. Mitch AUSTIN, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 24. Cam DEVLIN, 31.Luke IVANOVIC.
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Paulo RETRE (promoted), 24. Cam DEVLIN (promoted), 31.Luke IVANOVIC (promoted).
Outs: 11.Daniel DE SILVA (Ineligible due to loan agreement)
Unavailable: 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (ACL – indefinite), 22.Siem DE JONG (knee – 1 week), 19. Chris ZUVELA (knee – indefinite).
Tickets
Be there to back your Sky Blues in a great family afternoon out for all at Leichhardt Oval and see history made. Get your ticket here.
