Sydney FC Head Coach Ufuk Talay has labelled the club’s upcoming AFC Champions League Two semi-final second leg as one of the biggest matches in the club’s history.
Tickets go on public sale today (4pm – sydneyfc.com/tickets) for the clash against against Singapore’s Lions City Sailors (Wed, April 16th) for what promises to be a historic night at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“I believe so,” said Talay when asked if it was Sydney FC’s biggest ever.
“Domestic football is very important but playing an international ACL campaign is probably our biggest challenge so far.
“It’s a great occasion for our club to be in. Our club has had a lot of success, played in many Final Series and Grand Finals, but achieving semi-final football in the ACL is a great opportunity for us to create history and possibly go all the way.
“Being a Head Coach at Sydney FC in a great occasion like a semi-final in the ACL competition is probably one of the biggest moments for me as a coach as well.
“We definitely need the support of our fans to come midweek and support the boys to get through the second leg.”
Sydney FC will face a strong Lions City Sailors side that boasts former Socceroos defender Bailey Wright and who recently knocked out Japanese giants Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals.
Talay is expecting a tough challenge, particularly given their opponents’ counter-attacking strengths.
“Lion City Sailors are a very good side. They’ve got some very good foreigners, they play very, very good counter-attacking football, so it’s going to be a challenge, especially the first leg away from home.
“Hopefully, we put ourselves in a good place leading into the second leg at home, which will be a hugely exciting game.
“We saw from the 3-2 game against Jeonbuk in the last round that it’s all or nothing in the second leg, and it was very exciting for the neutral – although not so much for me on the sideline.”
Adding to the magnitude of this semi-final is the tantalising prospect of hosting the AFC Champions League Two Final should Sydney FC progress.
Talay believes that possibility should inspire the Sky Blue faithful to turn out in numbers.
“That excites us—the possibility of playing a Final in Sydney if we make it. It would be a great occasion for the club and our supporters,” he continued.
“I look at our last game against Jeonbuk, and our die-hard fans were there. The Cove was there, and the support was incredible.
“If we can get even more of our fans to come out for this massive occasion in the semi final, where we can create history, I think it’ll be a great night.”
The Sky Blues head to Singapore for the first leg on April 9th with the all or nothing second leg at the Sydney Football Stadium set for Wednesday 16th April at 8pm in the middle of the school holidays.
Sydney FC fans are encouraged to secure their seats now for what promises to be one of the biggest nights in Australian football history.
Tickets are available now via Ticketek.
