Ufuk Talay and Hayden Matthews are anticipating a stern challenge from Sanfrecce Hiroshima despite the rumour of the Japanese rotating their squad.
Whoever walks onto the pitch for the visitors on Thursday night, the Sky Blue contingent know it will not be a walk in the park.
“I think it’s going to be a great occasion with two very good teams coming up against each other,” Talay said.
“Both Joe [Lolley] and Douglas [Costa] won’t be utilised for this match, with Joe potentially being close to fitness but we also have one eye on the Macarthur match this Sunday in two days time.
“We are playing at home and it’s been a while since we have played at home but for us, the thought process is also on getting three points so that we can be more comfortable in the group.”
Last Friday night, Sydney FC won their clash in Brisbane in stoppage time when substitutes Jaiden Kucharski and Adrian Segecic combined for the winner.
Heading into this one, Ufuk Talay hinted at one of them getting a start.
“Both of them are important players to us.
“They give us depth in the squad that we need when we have injured players,” Talay said.
“Segecic is in line to maybe start, and JK provides that excitement and freshness when he comes on to produce those moments within the games.
“We have a lot of faith in the young Academy players that we have coming through the ranks.”
Hayden Matthews is only 20 years old but is already making headlines for his potential talent.
A Sydney FC Academy Graduate who has set the league alight and keen to test himself against the best in Asia.
“We have a very young back line but we want to press high and win the ball and play the high risk high reward style,” Matthews said.
“I think we are gelling really well together and the team this season is excellent. We have a lot of quality across the park and I think we have the potential to do something special this season.
“Since I made my debut, the coach has put a lot of faith in me over the last ten months and that really gives me confidence as a player to keep moving forward and keep going on my performances,” he concluded.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Sanfrecce Hiroshima
AFC Champions League Two Matchday 4
Thursday 7th November 2024
Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, NSW
Kick Off: 7:00pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:00pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
