Sydney FC coach Frank Farina says the A-League finals present an opportunity for his side to start afresh and put their erratic form behind them.
Sydney FC coach Frank Farina says the A-League finals present an opportunity for his side to start afresh and put their erratic form behind them.
Needing only to avoid a two-goal defeat to reach the finals for the first time in two years, the Sky Blues secured fifth with a last-minute 2-1 victory over Perth Glory on a sodden Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Though Sydney have now lost just once in their past six outings, their form has been inconsistent at best and they prevailed over the Glory despite a lacklustre display.
Farina says past form will count for nothing when they tackle Melbourne Victory in a sudden death elimination final at Etihad Stadium on Friday.
‘The finals are a new ball game – it’s all about who turns up on Friday night,’ said Farina. ‘[It’s about] who’s better prepared and who plays better. All the previous form for every side counts for nothing, now we’re into sudden death.’
‘Whoever you play will be tough, especially away from home. It is a short turnaround, five days. Victory have to play on Tuesday [in the Asian Champions League] so we can’t complain about our turnaround. We’re ready.’
A superb first half strike from Terry Antonis had settled nerves for Sydney, but the Glory’s Rostyn Griffiths equalised on the stoke of half-time to push the home side onto the back foot.
While the visitors had much the better of the second half, Richard Garcia netted with virtually the last kick of the contest to end Newcastle Jets’ hopes of squeezing into the top six.
Farina though said he was happy to secure all three points in the circumstances with multiple factors impacting on the contest.
‘It wasn’t pretty,’ Farina said. ‘Maybe in patches it was decent but it was particularly disappointing to concede a soft goal right on half-time. But in the end, we’ll take it.’
‘We were playing a team with nothing to lose, and we had everything to lose. At least we have some consistency in results, and if we can get those results without playing at our best, that’s a bonus.’
Match Details
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
Friday 18 April, 7.30pm kick-off
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Click here to purchase tickets.
Follow the match on Twitter using the hash-tag #ALeagueFinals
