Four and a half months of hard work culminates into the first game of the Hyundai A-League 2014/15 season this Saturday and Sydney FC defender Sasa Ognenovski is as keen as ever to get it underway.
After playing at eight different locations, split over two countries, Sydney FC head into their season opener against Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium (kick off 7:30pm) full of confidence and Ognenovski has vowed to replicate their early form into the season proper.
“The excitement starts to kick in now,” Ognenovski said.
“We’ve done preseason, done all the hard yards, played all the games and everyone is almost fit and healthy, so we’re just looking forward to the season opener against Melbourne City.
“Four and a half months of preseason is a long time to wait, usually it’s six weeks or two months maximum so I guess you have to be a lot stronger mentally and keep trying to refresh,” he continued.
“We feel fresh, we don’t feel tired coming into the first round so we’re raring to go.
“We’re all confident, obviously preseason form is good and winning form is good but it is the preseason, there are no trophies for winning in preseason, so we’re going to go out there and try and equal that record in our first 12 games and if we can do that it will put us in good stead for the finals.”
Ognenovski only has eyes for claiming the Grand Final and he believes the Sky Blues possess the attacking prowess necessary to achieve this goal.
“My personal goals are to just to play as many games as possible and stay fit and healthy and help the team as much as I can,” Ognenovski said.
“The team goals are obviously to win the Grand Final, that’s what we play football for and why we work hard in preseason, so hopefully we get off to a good winning start on Saturday and kick on from there.
“We have the strike power to challenge this season,” he continued.
“Obviously Corey Gameiro has been in good form this preseason and hopefully he can carry that over into the A-League season.
“Marc Janko and Brosque have scored goals and Bernie has also been lively so we definitely have enough attacking power up front.”
The Sky Blues get their season underway at home to Melbourne City, with David Villa in tow, at Allianz Stadium (kick off 7:30pm) on Saturday 11 October. Gates open at 6:30pm. Purchase your tickets now to make sure you don’t miss a moment of action, or become a Member today.
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