Official Sydney FC Thread IV [R]

zhuangzi · Oct 12, 2012

We've had a closer look at him than anyone else, so I guess he's the goods. Hope it works out.

Jitevra · Oct 13, 2012

el-capitano · Oct 13, 2012

Another loss, but we're getting closer.

At least it was an exciting game which may bring back the fans.

zhuangzi · Oct 13, 2012

Much better to lose like that than to lose like Wellington. People will come back, and that's what matters.

el-capitano · Oct 14, 2012

Some media from the game:

The crowd of 35,419 that poured into Allianz Stadium on Saturday night to see the former Juventus star was not only a record for a regular season game involving Sydney FC, but the club's second highest in a competitive game.
They were rewarded with a brilliant free-kick from Del Piero to open his Sydney account, and also a goal from Newcastle's own European marquee player, Emile Heskey, as the Jets won 3-2.
But despite their disappointment at the score, Sydney were celebrating an emphatic victory off the field, with Del Piero's first game also prompting unprecedented merchandise sales.
Stadium officials reported the highest ever spending at the stadium's official store in the ground's 21-year history, beating even the NRL grand finals held there between 1988 and 1998.

It's believed the revenue from ticket sales was also close to $500,000, an astonishing sum for a game so early in the season - giving Sydney FC an early dividend from their share of that revenue on the $2 million a year they have invested to bring Del Piero to the club.

Sydney CEO Tony Pignata is already keen to take steps to ensure the crowds return in similar droves for their next home game at Allianz Stadium. That won't be for almost four weeks because of resurfacing work. Their next home game will be at ANZ Stadium a week on Saturday.
Yesterday Pignata said tickets for that game, against Perth Glory, and the subsequent home fixture against Melbourne Victory on November 10 at Allianz Stadium, are already selling well.
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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-del-piero-mania/story-fndb5nmd-1226495769524

el-capitano · Oct 14, 2012

The answer for coach Ian Crook was "no" - the hesitancy and discord that studded their loss in Wellington was still rife.
Newcastle should have had four goals in the first half as they settled far quicker and strolled through the gaps in Sydney's midfield and defence.
The opening goal was a mess, Trent McLenahan deciding to head clear a corner from close to the ground and the ball just fell for Joel Griffiths to tap in.
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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ave-defence-open/story-fndb5nmd-1226495061699

el-capitano · Oct 14, 2012

Griffiths pulled up seconds before Newcastle attacked to score their third through Craig Goodwin, leaving the defender unable to track the Jets youngster as he ran through unimpeded to score.
A more definite prognosis will have to wait until scans on the damaged muscle but Crook fears losing Griffiths for several weeks if the injury is confirmed to be a serious strain.
First choice centreback Pascal Bosschaart played part of a youth team game last week but is still not ready for a return to first team action after his six-month rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
It means Crook will have to play Trent McLenehan, an unconvincing deputy for Bosschaart in Sydney's first two games this season, alongside Sebastian Ryall who has made just two starts for Sydney in the past 18 months.

Crook also faces a big decision on the immediate future of club captain Terry McFlynn, with the Sydney fans' ironic cheers at his substitution reflecting their view of his involvement in the game.
His replacement, Paul Reid, impressed on entry and Young Socceroo Terry Antonis is almost certain to be available for selection again after missing the loss to Newcastle through concussion.
Iraqi international Ali Abbas also grew into the role after being paired with McFlynn, leaving Crook with four choices for two positions.
Further forward Yairo Yau should return from international duty to put pressure on Mitch Mallia for the right wing position, while Brett Emerton also enters calculations after he was pushed forward to some effect in the second half on Saturday.
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http://www.news.com.au/sport/footba...fensive-headache/story-fndkzvnd-1226495845989

G Enriquez · Oct 14, 2012

Photos from the Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets match. 10/13/2012
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/m7M2UtRtbUf/League+Rd+2+Sydney+FC+v+Newcastle

el-capitano · Oct 16, 2012

Please be good.

Many youth players struggled to make the first team throughout the three-year tenure of Lavicka and former Young Socceroo captain, Ryall, spent the majority of last season as a background figure at Moore Park, starting in only two games.
''Last year, it was really frustrating for myself because I didn't have the chance to show what I can do. It's really refreshing having a new coach and Crook said that it's not about reputation, it doesn't matter who you are, just how good you are. I think that shows with players like [Mitch] Mallia, and [Blake] Powell playing in the first team,'' Ryall said. ''I'm not having a go at 'Vitja' [Lavicka] but he was quite conservative and not many young players came through under him.''
Ryall, 23, is set to start his first game of the season in the inaugural Sydney derby on Saturday night after an impressive performance off the bench against Newcastle Jets last week and centre-back Adam Griffiths' hamstring injury.
The young defender is hoping to repay Crook's faith with a strong performance in the historic cross-town clash but will not be changing his style of play for the occasion.
''The first two games, I've not had the chance to start but this is a big opportunity for myself … I'm not taking it differently to any other game. I've played over 80 A-League games and in high-pressure games like grand finals so I'm not doing anything different, I'm just looking forward to this opportunity and I will grab with both hands.'' Ryall said.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-leagu...eve-they-can-catch-a-star-20121016-27p4m.html

el-capitano · Oct 17, 2012

Heya- Boss is back in the mix.

"Certainly he'll (Griffiths) miss a couple of weeks but on the plus side we look as though we've got Pascal back involved so we'll see how he pulls up tomorrow," Crook said on Thursday.
"He's got an opportunity (to start). We'll certainly have a look at that and probably make a decision more on that tomorrow.
"He's been training great and working hard and it's good to have him back in."
If he is declared fit, Bosschaart could replace Trent McLenehan at the back for Sydney, with Seb Ryall likely to come into the starting side after impressing off the bench against the Jets.
After a lengthy rehabilitation, Bosschaart said he was pleased to be back and on track to be fit for Saturday's match.
"I haven't played a proper match in almost seven months so it's going to be hard for me but I like challenges," he said.
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http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/bosschaart-back-for-sydney-fc-20121018-27t0a.html

el-capitano · Oct 19, 2012

Bah- No Boss.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1125105/Popovic-heaps-pressure-on-Sydney

zhuangzi · Oct 19, 2012

Hooray, more of Emerton's fantastic right back play

el-capitano · Oct 20, 2012

How was a sell out not a sellout.

Red and Black Can't organise anything for shit.

zhuangzi · Oct 20, 2012

Eh, they managed a simple but effective tifo and clearly did some housecleaning with their idiots, so fair play to them.

jimbregas · Oct 20, 2012

el-capitano said: ↑

How was a sell out not a sellout.

Red and Black Can't organise anything for shit.
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Yeah, there was a few empty seats where I was sitting down the southern end. They also failed to mention anywhere that that area was alcohol free until after we went and bought beers and sat down.

It was a good game though, Emmo was great on the right wing.

el-capitano · Oct 21, 2012

Was funny seeing the older of our players running throughout, while others like the younger Abbas & Ryall go down with cramps.

el-capitano · Oct 21, 2012

Is there a little angel in heaven somewhere, shedding a tear for Ante?

WESTERN Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic believes the ''Del Piero effect'' swayed referee Strebre Delovski to award the Italian star a penalty in Saturday night's Sydney derby.

Covic did not go as far as to say that Sydney FC's marquee ''dived'' but said Delovski was influenced by the player's profile, and labelled his decision to point to the spot as "soft".

Del Piero calmly slotted the resulting spot-kick into the back of the net but was ordered to retake the penalty after a Sydney FC player was judged to have encroached the box before the ball was kicked. The World Cup winner showed his first real signs of nerves in the A-League when he opted for power over placement with his second attempt. Covic did well to block the shot but was still irked that Del Piero scored off the rebound to sink the Wanderers.

"Personally, it hurts,'' Covic said. ''He sold me very well in his first penalty, it was very well taken, he disguised it very well so credit to him but I got the better of him in the second one. I have to say that it's really frustrating. It was nice saving a penalty and it was even nicer saving a penalty from Del Piero but it wasn't to be."
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-leagu...-calls-his-way-says-covic-20121021-27zil.html

zhuangzi · Oct 22, 2012

What happened to Strebre? He made some real stinkers that night (not the penalty, but definitely the retake). If he's gone off the boil this league is screwed.

007GS · Oct 22, 2012

Don't worry, we've still got a world class referee in Ben Williams.........

el-capitano · Oct 22, 2012

Wow- we're becoming the Galaxy.

SYDNEY FC plan to take the Alessandro Del Piero halo to an international market, lining up a series of overseas exhibition games including the possibility of a memorable encounter with Juventus in Turin.

Just as LA Galaxy sold out stadiums overseas on the back of signing David Beckham, Sydney have set their sights on a lucrative post-season tour of Asia to cash in on Del Piero's huge popularity.
The games were included in the contract negotiations that brought Del Piero to Australia, and include the option for him to organise and promote a fixture in Italy.
The Italian star will share in the revenue from the games, and receive all the proceeds if he takes up the option of organising a game between the sky blues and an Italian club - Juventus is the logical first point in negotiations.
It's understood that the Asian countries under consideration include Malaysia, China, Vietnam and Indonesia - the latter hosting one of the largest Juventus fan clubs in the world outside Italy, according to the Italian club's own website.
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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...seas-exhibitions/story-fndcv8ir-1226500966158

el-capitano · Oct 23, 2012

The Perth game will be ADP's 800th career game.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ame-this-weekend/story-fndb5nmd-1226501860843

Bass0r · Oct 24, 2012

I haven't actually done the maths on this, but it would be about six or seven more seasons before he hits 1,000.

Should Sydney turn him into Italy's Kazuyoshi Miura?

el-capitano · Oct 24, 2012

Bass0r said: ↑

I haven't actually done the maths on this, but it would be about six or seven more seasons before he hits 1,000.

Should Sydney turn him into Italy's Kazuyoshi Miura?
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Less if the FFA actually organise a cup comp.

el-capitano · Oct 26, 2012

DUMPED Sydney FC captain Terry McFlynn might be wondering whether his A-League career is on the ropes but coach Ian Crook says he can work his way back if he can reprogram himself to be a more attacking player.

McFlynn, 31, has traditionally been more a defensive-type midfielder known for his high workrate and crunching tackles but that now seems not enough to win a place in Crook's high-energy style.

A pointer to how far McFlynn has fallen back was on display last week when he was relegated to the bench behind Paul Reid - only signed the week before the season - and Ali Abbas, who has never played in central midfield since coming to Australia. However, Crook said McFlynn took his axing well and wouldn't necessarily be out of contention for Sunday's match against Perth Glory.

"Look, I'm not going to lie and say he was jumping through hoops and saying thank you ever so much, but he was what he is, which is a great professional,'' Crook said. ''He took it on the chin and he just said 'I'll now work harder to get back in the side.' It's been a tough week or so for him but he's handled it with great character. He was still the loudest voice in the dressing room before the game and that's a credit to him and his attitude."

Whether an old dog can be taught new tricks is the question for McFlynn as Crook has challenged the Ulsterman to change his style to suit Sydney's new passing and possession-based game.

"We've given Terry one thing in particular to work on and I told him that to work himself back into the first team, it's about can you get yourself facing forward and playing forward,'' he said. ''That's where we need his passes to be heading. If he can do that, it will give him every chance of pushing his way back into the team. Certainly in training this week I noticed he was making a real concerted effort to get himself facing forward and playing forward and if he does that than I think he can be really valuable."
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-leagu...to-go-forward-and-prosper-20121025-2886s.html

zhuangzi · Oct 27, 2012

Box-to-box is more his style, so not all bad.

Reid's a clear holding mid, likely Culina will be in a similar mold. Antonis 1) hasn't been playing all that well and 2) will be in and out with national duties, which leaves Abbas as the main obstacle for Terry, and fortunately he's also handy on the left.