Sydney FC coach Frank Farina looks set give debuts to his two new signings when the Sky Blues meet Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night (5.30pm kick off).
Sydney FC coach Frank Farina looks set give debuts to his two new signings when the Sky Blues meet Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night (5.30pm kick off).
Former A-League Golden Boot winning striker Joel Griffiths will play his first game since joining from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in December, while Brazilian centre half Tiago Calvano will get his first action after signing from the Newcastle Jets this week.
And Farina is happy with his newest recruit.
“He-s [Tiago] a genuine centre half, that-s the biggest indicator for me. That-s his position, that-s where he has played all the time. He-s a good defender and that-s what we needed at the moment,” said the Sky Blues coach.
“I didn-t bring him to sit on the bench. We-ve got 11 games to go, he is fit and ready to go so if I decide he-ll start I wouldn-t have any problems putting him in.”
Calvano also feels his fitness it is up to the task and is excited to form a Brazilian partnership on the left of the defence.
“It-s always good when we play with the guys from our country and I-m really happy to play with Fabio but on the pitch there are eleven players and everyone help each other, it doesn-t matter what language,” said Calvano.
Frontman Griffiths can make his first appearance following a month on the training field, now that transfer window has opened.
“It-s been a good thing that he-s been able to train for two or three full weeks before he can play< continued Farina. “And he-ll definitely add something to us.”
The Sky Blues have shown their character to fight til the end over recent weeks pulling off two late wins and a draw in their last four games.
“It-s very pleasing to see that they have bought into the belief that if you actually work hard for 90 minutes, things can happen and things have happened,” said the former Socceroos coach.
“It-s not a fluke that in 3 games we-ve come from behind and two of those games we-ve won.”
Opponents Wellington are bottom of the A-League ladder but Farina says his side will not be taking it easy.
“They are a difficult side and probably more difficult away from home because they haven-t had such a great home season this year.
“They are always dangerous and they are desperate so it-s going to be a tough game.”
Tickets are available for this huge match as Sydney bid to stay in Finals contention this Saturday evening. Kick off is at 5,30pm and tickets are priced at just $25 for adults from Ticketek. Let’s Stop The Phoenix Rising and take another step towards finals football!!
