There’s no shortage of confidence at Sydney FC as they head to Australia’s capital to face Canberra United in their Liberty A-League match on Saturday.
Kick-off for the clash at McKellar Park has been pushed back from 3pm to 5pm AEDT.
Sydney – third in the standings but just three points adrift of league-leading Western United – have the best attack in the competition with 26 goals to go with a Liberty A-League-low nine goals conceded.
The Sky Blues have scored an impressive 17 goals in their last five outings.
“We have the best defence, the best midfield and the best forwards in the whole league,” teenage defender Charlie Rule told reporters.
“As a team we’re so connected and separately we’re all very good. We just put our heads down and want to do the best for each other … that will help us get where we want to be.”
After crushing defending champions Melbourne Victory 6-3, Sydney swept aside second-placed rivals Melbourne City 3-0.
Next up for Sydney is Canberra.
“Every game that comes, even if it’s Canberra, we’ve got to put our best foot forward because every team wants to bring out their best game against us,” Rule said.
Canberra put back-to-back 5-0 losses behind them on Sunday with a 3-0 win against Newcastle Jets, but know hanging with third-ranked Sydney at McKellar Park will require finding another level altogether.
“It’s definitely a big step up against Sydney FC, they’re a very good team,” midfielder Laura Hughes told reporters.
“(Last week’s win) not only propels us up the ladder and keeps our finals hopes alive, but it helps our team morale, everyone feels good after three points.
“We had to come together as a playing group, the staff as well, we had to change something. We just focused on having a really good training week.
“If we have a good training week this week, look after our bodies and recover, I don’t see why we can’t get those three points”.
Canberra remain seven points outside the top four but have one game in hand on fourth-ranked Melbourne Victory.
They’ll hope for more from champion captain Michelle Heyman who’s struggled to find her consistency this season, yet to score in any game United hasn’t won.
