A-League Preview 7: Sydney FC

Are Sydney FC on the way back? I think so!

Today Football in the Capital has preview number 7: Sydney FC. Tomorrow the last preview is Melbourne Victory.

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Preview: Sydney FC.

Branko Culina made a terrific start to his coaching career with Sydney FC in the Asian Champions League.

The side played composed and attractive football against some of the top sides in Asia. Branko was a man on the rise, but it didn’t last long. The stress began to show on Branko during the pre-season defeats.

And not surprising really as Sydney were shipping goals every week.

And with the David Carney-Mark Milligan transfer fiasco things did not look good, until now.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley, David Carney and top scorer Sasho Petrovski have all gone.

But with World Cup winner Juninho, former Socceroos defender Tony Popovic, a number of young players and an unknown Brazilian forward Patrick Da Silva arriving..albeit late, The mood in The Cove is lifting.

Sydney lack goals. Juninho is 34 and will need to change his running game if he is to have a lasting impact, despite the hype.

His threaded passes in the pre-season game at Penrith showed a glimpse of his quality.
With Milligan and Popovic around, Sydney should be strong defensively. Ruben Zadkovich, Robbie Middleby and Brendan Santalab will be expected to provide pace going forward.

Alex Brosque? Big question marks surround his ability and consistency. Brosque and the under-pressure striker David Zdrillic are the guys expected to score. Da Silva may add to the options.
Zdrillic will have his best chance yet to perform under Culina, but don’t expect the fans to be patient with the big number nine if the goals aren’t flying in.

If Branko can find a way of getting a regular supply of goals Sydney can again reach the Grand Final.

They may start slow, but I expect Sydney to comfortably make the four.

A champion team generally has a couple of players scoring near to double figures. Who can do that for Sydney FC?

Hope the crowds double and the football is enticing. It’s a fantastic stadium, would be great to see Sydney pulling 30,000. Imagine the sound from The Cove if that happened, and I have a feeling it might this season.

Players I’ll enjoy watching: Stevie Corica, Mark Milligan, Jacob Timpano, Tony Popovic, Ruben Zadovich, Juninho and maybe the new Brazilian Patrick Da Silva...and of course the 12th man The Cove.