After being a fixture in the finals for the first three seasons of the Hyundai A-League, Sydney FC is still coming to terms with the fact that it won’t be a part of the playoffs this year, and while it’s a difficult pill to swallow, the team is getting on with business and is determined to finish on a high this Sunday against the Newcastle Jets.
After being a fixture in the finals for the first three seasons of the Hyundai A-League, Sydney FC is still coming to terms with the fact that it won-t be a part of the playoffs this year, and while it-s a difficult pill to swallow, the team is getting on with business and is determined to finish on a high this Sunday against the Newcastle Jets.
“We-ve had opportunities to be a lot better off than we are at the moment and for whatever reasons we haven-t taken them,” admitted Coach, John Kosmina. “It does hurt and there-s a bit of a point to prove I think from everybody-s point of view.”
Injuries have been a recurring problem for the Sky Blues throughout their current campaign and they-ve again reared their head for the final round, with departing defender, Robbie Middleby ruled out of last match.
“We don-t have a hell of a lot to choose from to be perfectly honest,” said Kosmina. “Johnny (Aloisi) is available now but we-ve lost Zach Cairncross because of his suspension, Robbie Middleby-s out injured so he won-t be considered for selection.”
“Johnny and Matty Jurman come into the squad and that-s it. If we lost any more we-d struggle to put a youth team on the park tomorrow night.”
Middleby is one of several stars that will bid goodbye to Sydney on Sunday, and one of three departing foundation players. They-re all determined to leave on a winning note.
“It-s been a fantastic four years here, I-ve won a championship, I-ve played under some great coaches and played with some great players who I-m happy to call my good mates now,” said Iain Fyfe.
“They-ve (Newcastle) still got a lot to play for,” he continued. “They want to hit some form for the Asian Champion-s league. They-re going to come here and try and play good football and try and win the game as well so it-ll still be a very entertaining game.”
Sydney has recorded a win and a draw in two tough matches against the Jets this season and also has plenty of motivation to improve the record on Sunday at the SFS, including the chance to climb up one place on the ladder to 5th.
The season ending clash with Newcastle will kick-off at the Sydney Football Stadium at 5pm on Sunday.
