Steve Corica insists Sydney FC can be a force come next week’s A-League Men finals series, pointing to their record against their possible opponents as a sign they can compete with the competition’s best.
With their place in the top six secured, Corica’s side host Newcastle on Saturday in their final game of the regular season.
Sydney have been unconvincing at times this campaign with tactical changes and injuries impacting their early season form.
But after an unbeaten stretch of four games to finish the year, Corica is adamant they can trouble whichever team they face in the finals.
“We’ve shown this season we can beat any of those teams (above us),” he said.
“We’ve drawn with Adelaide twice, we’ve beaten the Wanderers and Central Coast.
“It does show that we are a good team when we are at our best.
“That’s why we’ve got to go into the finals full of confidence.”
That new-found belief is embodied in the form of Adam Le Fondre.
The veteran forward is showing signs he is back to his best after an injury-plagued campaign, the Englishman having found the back of the net in his last three games.
“He’s scoring vital goals for us and he’s an important player for us,” Corica said.
“He’ll be looking for more goals I’m sure and getting his fitness up to scratch as well for the finals.”
Jack Rodwell will miss the Newcastle game under concussion protocols but other than the English defender the Sky Blues are at full strength.
Spanish left back Diego Caballo is also back to full fitness after overcoming a hamstring issue.
Corica has the luxury of resting players with Luke Brattan and Slovakian winger Robert Mak in contention to have a week off.
“Luke is on seven yellow cards so we might rest a couple,” Corica said.
“It just depends how they train this weekend and we’ll have to speak to players and see how they’re feeling about it.”