Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole says his Sky Blues team mates are more than ready for the challenge they will face when they take on Tim Cahill and English Premier League side Everton at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night (7:30pm kick-off).
Sydney FC defender Shannon Cole says his Sky Blues team mates are more than ready for the challenge they will face when they take on Tim Cahill and English Premier League side Everton at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night (7:30pm kick-off).
The 24-year-old Hyundai A-League championship winner said that although the match is a preseason friendly, the competitive instincts of every player from both sides will take over and nothing but a win will do.
Cole also said the match is crucial in the Sky Blues preparation for the opening round of the 2010/11 Hyundai A-League season – a grand final replay against arch rivals Melbourne Victory on Saturday 7 August at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“The preparation has been really good and everyone has trained extremely hard. It is a good chance to try out things in our shape and tactically and obviously against strong opposition. All of the boys are looking forward to it,” Cole said.
“We have some big preseason games and it is all leading towards that first game in August 7 to kick off a solid season. It is a really big game. It is the start of a big year for us.”
The match could also see 16-year-old Terry Antonis take to the pitch after he was named in an 18-man team by coach Vitezslav Lavicka. Antonis is joined by fellow young guns Dimitri Petratos and Blake Powell.
On top of Cahill, Everton will take to the ANZ Stadium pitch boasting world class talents including Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville, Louis Saha, Sylvain Distin and Jack Rodwell.
Despite this, Cole said that the Sky Blues preparation had been strong and that the addition of former Sydney FC hero Dwight Yorke would give his team even more confidence.
“It is pretty special for our fans for one of their favourites to come back home. It is almost like a testimonial for him and to play in a big game and a big stadium like that,” Cole said.
“He has achieved most things people only ever dream of so it is special for us to have him around and have him involved.”
Cole, who formed part of the A-League-s best defensive unit last season, said he the match would be doubly special as he used to stay fit by running around ANZ Stadium as a youngster.
“Everton are a team that plays good football so it is a chance for us – for Sydney FC – to show what we can do against a big time like that,” Cole said.
“It is special for me as I used to go for jogs around the stadium all the time when I was younger because I grew up only five minutes from there.
“I am really looking forward to getting out there. I am sure there will be a great atmosphere and it will be a big day for our fans.”
Tickets to the match are still available from Ticketek
Sydney FC team: Ivan Necevski, Shannon Cole, Stephan Keller, Sebastian Ryall, Sung Hwan-Byun, Terry McFlynn, Dwight Yorke, Brendan Gan, Mark Bridge, Scott Jamieson, Alex Brosque, Liam Reddy, Hayden Foxe, Antony Golec, Hiro Moriasu, Dimitri Petratos, Terry Antonis, Blake Powell
