Sydney FC’s off-season recruitment will receive an early test with Nick Carle, Pedj Bojic, Corey Gameiro, Mark Warren and Matt Jurman all selected in an 18-man squad for next week’s clash with J-League club Sagan Tosu in Japan.
Sydney FC-s off-season recruitment will receive an early test with Nick Carle, Pedj Bojic, Corey Gameiro, Mark Warren and Matt Jurman all selected in an 18-man squad for next week-s clash with J-League club Sagan Tosu in Japan.
The five newcomers will be joined by Italian marquee Alessandro Del Piero and A-League All Stars Brett Emerton and Rhyan Grant in the squad, which departs Sydney on Sunday for next Wednesday-s match.
The clash with Sagan Tosu follows warm up matches against Belmore United (6-0 win) and Sydney University (7-1 win) but represents a significant step up in class as the Sky Blues pre season gets into full swing.
“The match against Sagan Tosu will be a big step up and a tough test for the squad,” said Sydney FC assistant coach Rado Vidosic, who will take control of the side while Head Coach Frank Farina remains in Australia to finish his Pro Licence coaching course.
“We have played two matches against State League sides and we have been working hard on fitness and a new style of play. We also have a few new players and they are all coming to Japan for the game so this will be an important move in the right direction.”
Terry McFlynn (calf) and Pascal Bosschaart will not make the trip as they continue rehabilitation for injuries while Yairo Yau will also remain in Sydney to work on his fitness after re-joining the Sydney FC squad last week.
The Sydney FC squad departs Sydney for Fukuoka, via Tokyo, on Sunday evening.
The Sydney FC squad for the trip is: Ivan Necevski, Sebastian Ryall, Mark Warren, Matt Jurman, Brett Emerton, Pedj Bojic, Corey Gameiro, Alessandro Del Piero, Blake Powell, Tiago Calvano, Mitch Mallia, Joel Chianese, Peter Triantis, Nick Carle, Vedran Janjetovic, Ali Abbas, Rhyan Grant and Hagi Gligor.
