Sydney FC will get their first look at new Hyundai A-League club Western United next month, with the two clubs to face off in a pre-season clash on Friday 27 September in Ballarat.
The Sky Blues will take on Mark Rudan’s men at Morshead Park at 3pm in what will be Sydney FC’s final open match ahead of the start of the 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season.
Sydney FC have featured once previously at Morshead Park, defeating Melbourne City in their first ever FFA Cup game in 2014.
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Head Coach Steve Corica said he was looking forward to the encounter.
“We are looking forward to facing Western United,” he said.
“It’s exciting to be playing the new team which will give us a chance to see what they are about before the season starts when there are points up for grabs.
“I’m also keen to increase the standard and quality of opposition as the we get closer to the start of the A-League campaign in order to hit the ground running, so this is a good test for our players.”
The game comes as part of a pre-season Festival of Football in Ballarat with Western United also facing Adelaide United that week, as the only two official matches the new club will face against Hyundai A-League opposition in pre-season.
Western United FC Head Coach Mark Rudan said he’s looking forward to playing two pre-season fixtures in Ballarat.
“The games against Adelaide United and Sydney FC in Ballarat come at an important time in our pre-season preparation ahead of the 2019/20 Hyundai A-League season,” he said.
“From a football perspective, a competitive hit out against A-League opposition is vital at this time of year.”
A great crowd is expected with the Friday afternoon kick off scheduled due to the public holiday in Victoria on that day.
The clash in Ballarat will round out a solid month of preparation for the Sky Blues, with games against Far North Queensland Select XI and Newcastle Jets also scheduled.
Sydney FC kick off their Hyundai A-League season away against Adelaide United on Friday 11 October before their first home game of the season at Leichhardt Oval against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday 20 October.
Sydney FC’s Pre-Season games for September:
- Saturday 7th September – vs FNQ Select – Cairns – Kick off 7pm
- Saturday 21st September – vs Newcastle Jets – Dubbo – Kick off 3pm
- Friday 27th September – vs Western United – Ballarat – Kick off 3pm
