In the aftermath of defeat, extracting positives is always important. That was the case with Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric, who not only revealed something incredibly fascinating and honest, but he was defiant in the face of Liberty A-League pain.
Sydney had created history heading into Sunday’s Semi Final against Western United, becoming the first Liberty A-League team to win three consecutive Premierships.
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Despite dominating the match – 26 shots to eight, 12 shots on target compared to Western’s three – the Sky Blues were upstaged 1-0 at Allianz Stadium, where Hannah Keane downed the home side.
While Western are through to the April 30 decider, the season is not over for Sydney, who will come up against defending champions Melbourne Victory in the Preliminary Final.
“It sounds stupid but in my head – and I didn’t tell the girls – I was thinking I’d like to lose just so we don’t have to have a bye,” the title-winning coach told reporters in Sydney.
“Imagine we did win, then we’d have two games in four weeks. You know, it’s just silly I think that that happens. So yes, now I would wish we had got through 100% because then you’re concrete in there (the Grand Final).
“But again, you’ve got to look at the bright side of things and for me, it’s that we’re playing next week. And then if we get through that, then we play in a final and we will have some momentum, you know, so, yeah, there’s positives there 100%.”
Sydney – who lost back-to-back finals games for the first time since 2017 – kept Western goalkeeper Hillary Beall busy throughout the physical contest, but all that was missing was a goal.
“Not scoring with those opportunities. I thought our performance was outstanding I told them that at half-time and just now,” he told Network 10.
“I was super half with our performance, just need to fix up our finishing.”
Sydney captain Nat Tobin added: “Really we were the better team, we just didn’t put away chances. Maybe didn’t have enough power in front of goals.
“Western finished their chances, which seems to be the story of our last few finals series. But lucky we get two bites of the cherry.”
While Sydney were beaten, they remain defiant heading into a Grand Final rematch with rivals Melbourne Victory back at Allianz Stadium.
It will be a battle between the teams to have contested the past two Liberty A-League deciders, both won by Victory.
Victory booked their spot in the Preliminary Final after overcoming city rivals Melbourne City 4-1 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw at Casey Fields on Saturday.
“It’s a big clash against Victory,” Juric, who voiced his disappointment with the Matildas playing Sydney star Cortnee Vine in their win over England after she returned with fitness doubts, said.
“We obviously have a history. I don’t have to do much in terms of motivation, which is enormous for us to play that game.”
When asked if Sydney would be practicing penalties following the penalty heroics of Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont, Juric had a message for the titleholders.
“We probably will but I’m more comfortable now that it’s a Preliminary Final against them than a Grand Final because they have knocked us off in the Grand Final,” Juric said.
“But they haven’t knocked us off in a Preliminary Final since I’ve been here.
“We have the upper hand in semis, but we will have to do that in detailing our game. You never know what will happen. Definitely aiming for the 90. We got them.”
