Sydney FC playmaker Nicky Carle will travel to Melbourne for this weekend’s grand final rematch against the Victory at Etihad Stadium, a game that coach Vitezslav Lavicka says is important for the Blues to approach without the emotion of last season’s triumph.
Sydney FC playmaker Nicky Carle will travel to Melbourne for this weekend’s grand final rematch against the Victory at Etihad Stadium, a game that coach Vitezslav Lavicka says is important for the Blues to approach without the emotion of last season’s triumph.
“Games between Melbourne and Sydney are very big on the park and in the stands. We must keep our emotions (in check), maintain discipline and wok hard. We have to be patient and improve our possession,” Lavicka said during training at Macquarie University this week.
Still chasing their first victory, the Blues will be bolstered by the return of Carle which should allow Mark Bridge to move back into the out-and-out striker’s role he feels most at home in.
“Nicky is back after a long-term injury and we’re all happy about this. We’re delighted he’s available because he’s a key player. We need to decide whether he will start or begin on the bench,” Lavicka said.
Despite playing quality football and creating plenty of chances in their matches to date, the Blues have been unable to register a win in nine games now – a dilemma Mark Bridge put down to momentary lapses of concentration in key moments.
After the 2-1 defeat to Adelaide in their latest match, Lavicka and the Sydney FC board decided a change of scenery was needed and embarked on a two-day training camp with the squad at Terrigal, on the central coast.
“It was positive because we changed the training environment and schedule, and had a bit more fun. Now we are focussing on the Melbourne game,” Lavicka said.
“Everybody wants to improve and change the current situation. As head coach I have to say that the players work very hard in training and on the pitch. I can’t say we haven’t been creating chances because we have. The main problem is we aren’t effective enough in attack.”
In a testament to Sydney FC fans, Lavicka revealed that in his fifteen years of professional football coaching he had never seen such positive support from fans while their club is going through a winless spell.
“Some Sydney FC fans joined us for lunch this week. We appreciate their support because they supported us last season when we achieved success, and they are sticking with us this season while we are going through this tough period, we appreciate this.
“We’re staying positive and together we can be successful. We haven’t changed the philosophy, we will continue to work hard. We have great memories against Melbourne, but this is history now. The players are confident, we’re chasing that first win but all of us know that we’re a good team.”
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 6.45pm AEDT
Referee: Ben Williams
Assistant referees: Shaun Evans and Luke Brennan
Fourth official Kevin Docherty
Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and FS1 HD and Sky Sport 1 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partner is 774 ABC (Melbourne), SEN Digital. For ticket availability visit www.ticketmaster.com.au
Sydney FC squad: 1. Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 5. Hayden FOXE, 6. Hirofumi MORIYASU, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. Bruno CAZARINE, 10. Nicky CARLE,12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 19. Mark BRIDGE, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN
*one to be omitted*
In: Nicky CARLE (returns from injury)
Out: Matt JURMAN (flu), Antony GOLEC (not selected)
Unavailable: Kofi DANNING (national team duty), Terry ANTONIS (national team duty), Rhyan GRANT (national team duty), Dimitri PETRATOS (national team duty)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 2. Kevin MUSCAT (c), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.RICARDINHO, 11.Marvin ANGULO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15.Tom PONDELJAK, 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 19. Evan BERGER, 20.Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21. Robbie KRUSE 23. Adrian LEIJER, 27. Geoff KELLAWAY
*three to be omitted*
In: Petar FRANJIC (promoted), Diogo FERREIRA (promoted), Marvin ANGULO (promoted)
Out: Surat SUKHA (back – 1 week)
Unavailable: Archie THOMPSON (knee – indefinite), Matthew KEMP (knee – indefinite)
Head-to-Head: All matches (played 19): Melbourne Victory wins 6, Sydney FC wins 4 (9 draws)
