Official Sydney FC Thread IV [R]

el-capitano · Sep 12, 2011

zhuangzi said: ↑

Oh and we lost to an (admittedly good) NSWPL side again. One month out and we look dire.
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I wasn't going to mention that.

The goal was from a Clive Palmer reject as well.

el-capitano · Sep 12, 2011

Sydney FC have cooled their interest in signing a foreign guest player despite a second straight loss to semi-professional opposition in the pre-season.

After being linked to a host of big-name players in recent weeks - among them Swedish internationals Markus Rosenberg and Freddie Ljungberg, Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu and Austrian international Marc Janko - Sky Blues chief executive Dirk Melton admits the hunt has been called off for the foreseeable future. A-League clubs are able to sign guest players for up to 10 games provided they meet a set of criteria, and the Sky Blues have had reasonable success in the past with Japanese star Kazu Miura and Italian playmaker Benito Carbone.

However the recent signing of Socceroos star Brett Emerton as the club's second marquee player alongside fringe Socceroos midfielder Nicky Carle has the club adopting a more cautious approach to another significant investment.

"The right thing to do is see how Brett and Nicky develop," said Melton. "It's [guest player] not a definitive no, but considering how expensive they are there'd need to be a good reason for it, and right now is not the right time to do it."
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/sydney-fc-cool-on-foreign-signing-20110912-1k5tv.html

Ben7 · Sep 13, 2011

Anyone knows a site/source/picture where I can find all Syndey FC jerseys/kits that exist to date?

What are the best places online to get A-League merchandise, appart from the club online stores?

el-capitano · Sep 13, 2011

Ben7 said: ↑

Anyone knows a site/source/picture where I can find all Syndey FC jerseys/kits that exist to date?

What are the best places online to get A-League merchandise, appart from the club online stores?
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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sydney+fc+jerseys

el-capitano · Sep 19, 2011

He's here

el-capitano · Sep 19, 2011

He's here

el-capitano · Sep 19, 2011

el-capitano · Sep 19, 2011

Having locked himself into a 4-4-2 formation last season, when the Sky Blues endured their worst campaign, Lavicka was set to persevere with the same system until the club pulled off the huge coup of convincing Emerton to cut short his contract in the English Premier League and head back to his home town.

In the three weeks since the signing was announced, Lavicka has experimented with different tactics while awaiting the arrival of Emerton, with a 4-2-3-1 formation emerging as his preferred approach.

''I have some ideas of how we will use Emmo, but I will sit around the table and ask him a few questions before I talk about that. I know his quality is on the right side, but we'll see. We have to find the right style, and the right system, to be more effective than we are now.

''What I can say is that people cannot expect him to solve our problems by himself. Emmo is a team player and a great professional, but it is too difficult to say, 'OK, he is coming, so he will fix this for us'. That is not true.''

Against the Jets, Brazilian import Bruno Cazarine played at the point in front of the supporting three of Carle, Dimitri Petratos and Mark Bridge, but a lack of genuine pace made it hard for the Sky Blues to get in behind the Newcastle defence.

Whether the best use of Emerton's speed and his power is in supplying crosses for Cazarine or playing off him is the focus of the coaching staff.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/footbal...r-lavicka-warns-edgy-fans-20110918-1kg1v.html

jimbregas · Sep 19, 2011

As soon as we signed Brett I immediately thought 4-2-3-1. Him, Carle and Kisel in that attacking three would go amazingly.

el-capitano · Sep 19, 2011

Two weeks after he was first paraded as a Sydney FC signing at the Sydney Football Stadium, Emerton returned to the club’s home ground for his first training session and commented on the sharpness of his new team mates.

“I really enjoyed myself out there today. It was great to finally get onto the pitch and train with the boys. They were really sharp out there and it felt good to be out amongst them.”

Emerton also showed his class when asked if he had already had the chance to sit down with Vitezslav Lavicka and discuss where he wanted to play.

“I have had a chance to speak to him but to be honest it is about where he wants me to play, not where I want to play. I have played a lot of different roles and I am happy to slot in wherever he thinks is best for the team.”

Emerton will play his first game in Sydney FC colours this Saturday (24 September) against Perth Glory at WIN Jubilee Stadium (Kogarah) in a pre season friendly that is part of Sydney FC’s annual Community Fan Day. The Fan Day starts at 12.30pm and Sydney FC takes on Perth at 3pm.
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http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=41010

el-capitano · Sep 22, 2011

TERRY ANTONIS was a boy wonder in a hurry. Now he's a young man prepared to be patient, and as Sydney FC wind down their preparations for the new A-League season there's a ripple of excitement within the ranks that all the hype is going to start being matched by the reality.

As Antonis, 18, gets ready for his breakthrough season as a professional even coach Vitezslav Lavicka, renowned for his reticence to blood youngsters, will struggle to hold him back.

Antonis returned from injury to play 60 minutes in last weekend's pre-season match against Newcastle Jets, and he's set to get another starting berth when the Sky Blues welcome marquee player Brett Emerton to the fold in their final warm-up match against Perth Glory at Jubilee Oval tomorrow.

All the attention and excitement at Kogarah will naturally be focused on Emerton's debut, but keep an eye on Antonis as he stakes a claim for a start in the blockbuster season-opener against Melbourne Victory on October 8.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/antonis-set-to-turn-hype-into-glory-20110922-1knd3.html

el-capitano · Sep 25, 2011

While all the focus was on Brett Emerton's debut in Saturday's final pre-season hit-out against Perth Glory at a rainswept Jubilee Oval - a 2-2 draw - it was Carle's new role as a shadow striker that was arguably just as significant.

The fact that he scored his sixth goal from seven trial matches - his best-ever total heading into a new season - suggests he's finally listening to the advice of those who believe he wastes too much of his talent at the wrong end of the pitch.

''It's about being smarter in terms of where I get the ball,'' Carle said. ''The gaffer [Vitezslav Lavicka] is very big on us defending as a team, and I'm never going to ignore my defensive duties. But it's about staying that little bit further forward so you don't have to carry it so far when you get the ball back and you've got the space to use the ball in better areas.''

To Carle's legion of admirers, this sounds suspiciously like an epiphany for a player who has too often submerged his best assets - the ability to play a killer pass in congested areas in and around the opposing penalty area - in a fruitless quest to be known as a hard worker.

It's not about working harder, it's about working smarter, and with emerging star Terry Antonis showing signs of promise in his old role at the top of the midfield diamond, and with Emerton now available as a regular outlet in the attacking third, Carle may finally have found his niche.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/footbal...not-the-way-to-go-forward-20110925-1krnb.html

el-capitano · Sep 26, 2011

Its on baby.

Football fans will be able to revel in the once-in-a-lifetime season opening blockbuster between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory with Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell both free to take the field to kick off the 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season on 8 October.

The blockbuster materialised today with Qantas Socceroo Coach Holger Osieck excusing the high profile pair from the friendly against Malaysia on October 7, paving the way for the A-League to kick off in front of a full house in Melbourne.

“I’m happy that I’ll be able to make my debut for Sydney FC in the first game of the season,” Emerton said. “It’s going to be a huge game and it will be great to be part of it.
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http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.asp...123&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

zhuangzi · Sep 27, 2011

if only we had a spare Emmo for RB...

el-capitano · Oct 5, 2011

Well Reddy won pre-season again.

http://ffa.sportalhosting.com/sydneyfc/news-display/Liam-Reddy-wins-race/41536

Reddy, who started in 18 of the 30 Sydney FC A-League matches last season, was happy to have won the battle but focussed on making sure he remains the first choice ‘keeper for the entire season after he was usurped for 13 matches by Necevski last year following a dip in form.

“Obviously I’m happy to have been selected to start the first game in goals,” Reddy said. “We’ve had a great Pre Season and it was made clear to us both (Reddy and Necevski) that it was a 50/50 choice and I’m glad I’ll start the season.

“Now I have to make sure that I continue to train hard and perform week in week out because I know there is competition for a place. Last year I missed some matches and I don’t want to do that again this season.”
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zhuangzi · Oct 7, 2011

Durakovic blinks

WITH tension mounting in the build-up to the Melbourne/Sydney season opener, Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic yesterday called on A-League referees to give special protection to the game's stars, such as Victory's Harry Kewell and Sydney's Brett Emerton.

Durakovic, who said Kewell would start and play plenty of minutes in the match, put Australian officials on notice when he declared that players like Kewell and Emerton had so much to offer the local game that they should be looked after.

''I am pretty sure they will look after him as closely as they can, but he knows his job, he knows what to do, he has been a full-time footballer all his life.
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''These guys are superstars and they need to be protected. Hopefully they don't get bad tackles. We are all about playing football.

''Harry will play. Physically he's looking good. He's not really match-fit, but he's a professional and he will play some part of the game.''
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You just tell yourself that...

el-capitano · Oct 9, 2011

I'll take the draw.

AS DEBUT nights go, it was a tale of two cities. While Sydney might have shaded it over Melbourne Victory - any team that goes home with a point after having a man sent off in an away game has done a decent job - it was Victory's marquee man, Harry Kewell, who made a more impressive first appearance than Sydney's star Socceroo signing, Brett Emerton.

For all that it was the two goalkeepers, Victory's debutant Ante Covic and Sydney's Liam Reddy, who really stole the show in a hard-fought and highly entertaining 0-0 draw in front of a bumper 40,000 crowd, everyone's eyes were focused on the two returning stars who, in the short period they have been in the A-League, have done so much to lift its pre-season profile.

The story for Emerton, alas, was not so happy. The former Blackburn man has had a wonderful career but his Sydney debut is probably a game he will want to forget.

He rarely had much influence, missed a penalty that could have given his team a famous win and ended up being substituted seven minutes from time as Vitezslav Lavicka looked to shut things down in the closing stages to preserve a point following Mark Bridge's 75th minute dismissal.

Still, the Socceroos utility took the blame for his disappointing start and fronted the media to pledge that he would only get better with more match practice under his belt.

''It's part of football, really. You have to take the highs with the lows. Someone has to take responsibility. Unfortunately, I didn't find the back of the net, but as far as a team performance goes, the boys can be very proud of what they did out there. I thought the standard was very high. If it's going to be like that every week, it will be an exciting and tough competition to play in.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-leagu...sed-on-kewell-and-emerton-20111009-1lfwg.html

el-capitano · Oct 10, 2011

What a shock- Cazagol's not really sorry for Bridge

''Everyone wants to play, especially the first game after such a long pre-season,'' he said. ''But I am a professional, and I know Vitja [coach Vitezslav Lavicka] has a lot of options. So I'm trying to do my best in every session and I am ready to play against Brisbane if he wants me.

''I'm very confident and happy here in Australia,'' he said.

''It is a good club, a professional club, and that's very important for a player. The A-League is improving a lot, it is a very competitive league and the level here is the same as some of the European leagues I have played in.

''For me, it has been a big challenge. When I go home to Brazil, I go on a program on TV, they show my goals and we talk about the A-League, and there is a lot of respect for it.''

Whether Cazarine will remain in a Sky Blues shirt after his contracts expires at the end of the season could largely be determined by his goals.

Last season, his predatory instincts were a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the side. And having been surprisingly dropped for the scoreless draw last weekend, he is keen to prove his worth.

''Last season, I scored important goals for the team, so personally I was happy even though for the group the season wasn't the best,'' he said.

''I also made a couple of assists, which was nice. But I am a player who tries to play the target man, so obviously my best quality is near the goal. That is my game, to score goals.''
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/footbal...o-benefit-if-bridge-falls-20111010-1lhkz.html

el-capitano · Oct 11, 2011

Gone for two:

Sydney FC will be without striker Mark Bridge for two matches as there is no realistic avenue to appeal the decision handed down by the FFA’s Match Review Panel (MRP) yesterday.

A player or club can not claim “exceptional circumstances” in relation to a decision taken by a Match Official during the match, the conduct of other players or officials, the significance of the match or the significance of any matches the player will miss.

Under the FFA Disciplinary Regulations, there are no legitimate grounds for Sydney FC to appeal the decision, or state a case in Mark Bridge’s defence in relation to the incident, the actions of Rodrigo Vargas immediately before the incident or the actions of Rodrigo Vargas immediately following the incident.

With that in mind, Sydney FC will accept the decision.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our Club to draw a line in the sand and say we won’t dive. It is important for all in the game to acknowledge that Australians do not look favourably on anyone in sport who deliberately tries to milk a free kick or penalty. This is something that I believe we need to place greater scrutiny on in order for the game to be the best it can be in this country.”
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Vargas = diver

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/sydneyfc/news-display/Mark-Bridge-to-miss-two-games/41671

el-capitano · Oct 12, 2011

Oh, and on diving:

To avoid claims of hypocrisy, it's believed Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka and his leadership group of Terry McFlynn, Karol Kisel and Brett Emerton have agreed to institute a system of internal fines for any player they believe is guilty of diving, regardless of the response of the referee.
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/footbal...idge-walked-20111011-1lj6k.html#ixzz1aXsRYdX6

zhuangzi · Oct 12, 2011

Bleh. Means Cazarine starts and that is a good thing.

el-capitano · Oct 12, 2011

KK's back too.

Star Sydney FC recruit Brett Emerton is excited by the challenge of ending Brisbane Roar's A-League record run of 29 unbeaten matches on Saturday.

Sydney FC are expected to draw a big crowd with Emerton on show as they meet the defending champions in their first home game of the season at Sydney Football Stadium.

"Brisbane are defending champions and look like being one of the teams to beat again this season.

"They haven't gone 29 games unbeaten for no reason.

"They're a good team and a great footballing team so obviously something we're looking to do is stop that run of theirs."

Sydney be without the strike force of Mark Bridge who is suspended after being red carded in last week's clash, but they will have Slovakian import Karol Kisel back from injury.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/emerton-out-to-halt-roars-aleague-record-20111013-1lm3t.html

el-capitano · Oct 16, 2011

Hassett tries his hand at Football Manager to work out our best left mid:

THE many problems that beset Sydney FC might have been effortlessly exposed by Brisbane Roar but none appear more glaring than left midfield, where it has been revealed marquee signing Brett Emerton volunteered to fill the role.

What remains clear is that despite Emerton's quality, he won't give the Sky Blues anywhere near full value - to the team or the hordes of fans who want to watch him - when he plays on the wrong wing.

At present, there's an embarrassment of riches in right midfield, with Emerton, Kisel, Hirofumi Moriyasu and Rhyan Grant all options for that position.

Yet on the left, there is no natural choice. Shannon Cole, who has spent the majority of his A-League career at right-back, started there in the opening game of the season but has a hamstring injury.

During the championship winning year of 2009-10, Terry McFlynn filled the void, but with Stuart Musialik departing, the skipper has become entrenched as a defensive midfielder. More graft than guile, McFlynn added steel to support the silkier qualities of Kisel and Steve Corica though it is clear Sydney's game plan now requires a more enterprising option

Scott Jamieson was tried there last year but it soon became obvious he was needed more at left-back, where he has played the majority of his professional career.

The wildcard may be Dimitri Petratos, who naturally plays a more attacking role but has the flair and belief to carry the ball.

At 18, he may not be ready for the weekly grind but he has proved himself a fast learner. With 17-year old Terry Antonis getting his chance, Petratos will be itching to participate and prove his worth to the team after breaking through late last season.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-leagu...on-left-side-says-lavicka-20111016-1lrk9.html

zhuangzi · Oct 17, 2011

Lavicka doesn't learn. The diamond doesn't work without a distributor at the base and McFlynn isn't that. Current setup is also a waste of Carle's talents, he's much better pulling the strings behind the strikers instead of closing their backline down, Brosque-style.

Something like this has to happen:

------Antonis----McFlynn
Emerton-----Carle------Petratos
------------Cazarine

DynamVostok · Oct 17, 2011

Sydney FC and the Fox Sports Bias

Thought this was an interesting read.

http://footballanarchy.com/2011/10/15/sydney-fc-and-the-fox-sports-bias/

Another game, another Brisbane win. Rinse, repeat. At the moment, no team is capable of standing up to a Roar side that has had a whole year to play together and adapt to the system that Ange Postecoglou has set out for them. Whether that remains the case will only be tested once teams like Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide hit their straps at around the fourth or fifth week of the season (and coincidentally, that’s when both Adelaide and Melbourne play Brisbane respectively).

But this article isn’t about Brisbane. We’ve all heard the plaudits given out to them, and with good reason.

No, this is about the clear bias of Fox Sports towards a Sydney team that is clearly poor all over the pitch. Praising Scott Jamieson when the attack came from his side of the pitch, just because he got in a last ditch effort at getting the ball away. Claiming Sydney’s high foul count wasn’t a sign of over-zealousness, but the right amount of aggression. Waxing lyrical over Nick Carle when he has the touch of a rapist (thanks Kossie) just because the ball fortuitously popped out between three defenders…and making excuses for the fact that he is a one-sided player.

Make no mistake, Sydney FC did not play well. Brisbane, for their part, played as well as they needed to – which under the circumstances didn’t need to be a very high level at all. When you have an opposition attack that continually strays into offside positions (and not as a result of your offside trap, but because of stupidity), why would you need to? The Roar dominated the midfield battle, and in the final third, there was no contest between the two sides. The sad part of it is that in 90 minutes Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka never really changed his tactics to address this lack of firepower up front. Why Brett Emerton was placed on the left side of a diamond formation – when he has played most of his career on the right – just to accomodate Karol Kissel is reminiscent of Mehmet Durakovic’s dilemma with Carlos Hernandez and Harry Kewell. The difference between those two sides is that while Kewell is a superstar, there are other bright lights in the Melbourne dressing room.

Sydney has Emerton, and on a really, really, REALLY good day, Carle. And that’s it.

But not according to Fox Sports’ Andy Harper and Simon Hill. Apparently the Sky Blues’ endeavour and tenacity (read: high foul count) had Brisbane on the back foot. If they did, I’d hate to see the Roar on the front foot against such poor team tactics. In fact, the whole match reminded me of Muhammed Ali fighting George Foreman in the classic Rumble in the Jungle, and the fighting technique he labeled the “Rope-a-dope” – absorb the pressure while on the ropes, let the opposition tire, then hit them on the counter with speed and precision.

If this match confirmed something that all of us already knew, it’s that Brisbane will be right up there again, and that Fox Sports is full of dopes when it comes to Sydney FC.
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