Sydney FC will look to continue to cement their claim for a top-two finish in Friday night’s Round 23 Hyundai A-League opener against Brisbane Roar (kick off 7.50pm AEDT).
Sydney FC will look to continue to cement their top-two stake in Friday night’s Round 23 Hyundai A-League opener against Brisbane Roar (kick off 7.50pm AEDT).
Head Coach Steve Corica’s side have had time to refresh and refocus ahead of the trip to Suncorp Stadium following the split round and international break following their AFC Champions League exploits.
The Sky Blues downed the Roar in their first encounter this season at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in December, before a late strike secured the points for the Roar in the return fixture at Suncorp Stadium last month.
The season hasn’t gone according to plan for Roar, but the Queenslanders will head into this fixture quietly confident of springing a surprise having upset Sydney FC 2-1 in Round 18 back in February.
Dylan Wenzel-Halls was the hero on that night, completing his side’s late turnaround with a 90th-minute stunner. The young striker should prove difficult for Sydney FC to contain having scored four goals in his last six matches.
Darren Davies’ team did not enjoy the same luck as that infamous February night in their most recent outing, where they were undone by former player Kosta Barbouses in a 2-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory.
Key Opta stats
- Brisbane Roar have conceded four or more goals in four of their last six Hyundai A-League games at Suncorp.
- The Sky Blues have lost only one of their last 11 Hyundai A-League games played on a Friday (W9, D1), including a 2-0 win over Adelaide United in their last such fixture.
Ins and Outs
Sydney FC squad: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2.Aaron CALVER, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jop van der LINDEN, 6. Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 8.Paulo RETRE, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 11. Danny DE SILVA, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 16.Reza GHOOCHANNEJHAD, 17.Anthony CACERES, 20.Alex CISAK (gk), 22. Siem DE JONG, 23.Rhyan GRANT, 31.Luke IVANOVIC.
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 5. Jop van der LINDEN (promoted), 6. Josh BRILLANTE (promoted), 11. Danny DE SILVA (return from elbow injury), 22. Siem DE JONG (return from knee injury)
Outs: 3. Ben WARLAND (ACL – indefinite), 18. Jacob TRATT (not selected).
Unavailable: 12.Trent BUHAGIAR (ACL – indefinite), 19.Chris ZUVELA (ACL – indefinite).
How to watch
#WatchWithUs LIVE on FOX SPORTS 505, streamed on the My Football Live App or at our Official Home Away from Home at The Star, Sydney from 7.50pm (AEDT) on Friday.
