Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has praised both teams for playing in sweltering conditions on Tuesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Brisbane and Sydney played out a goalless draw on a sub-standard pitch and Arnold admitted the conditions were extreme.
“They’re the hottest conditions I’ve experienced, with the humidity, since I coached the national team in the Middle East,” Arnold said.
“You have to take your hat off to both sets of players, they tried to put on a good spectacle but the field was a bit disappointing.
“It was a short turn around for both sets of players, they had 24 hours less than us.”
Arnold also conceded that the injury crisis that has plagued his club this season is starting to take its toll.
With key players Corey Gameiro, Ali Abbas and Sasa Ogenovski all out for the season, Arnold said FIFA’s rules didn’t make the situation easier.
“I’ve not experienced the type of injuries we’ve had in 15 years of coaching.
“With three players doing their ACL in three weeks and then Sasa.
“Especially with the rules with the FFA and FIFA, you can’t get players in until the January transfer window.”
Sydney fans will be hoping their tem can hold together for one last game before the Asian Cup break as they host Newcastle this Saturday in Wollongong.
