Evergreen veteran Steve Corica says Sydney FC’s star-studded line-up is unlikely to hit top gear for some time as several key players continue to find their feet after lengthy injury layoffs.
Evergreen veteran Steve Corica says Sydney FC’s star-studded line-up is unlikely to hit top gear for some time as several key players continue to find their feet after lengthy injury layoffs.
Having been forced to field a depleted line-up against Melbourne Victory in the opening round, Sydney FC fans caught a glimpse of what to expect this season as the glamour club – buoyed by the return of Mark Bridge, Stuart Musialik and Alex Brosque – outlasted the Mariners 3-2 in an entertaining affair.
Despite strong suggestions marquee striker John Aloisi (foot) and skipper Tony Popovic (hamstring) would be named for Sunday’s clash with Perth Glory, coach John Kosmina has resisted the temptation to rush the Socceroos greats back into the fray.
But while Corica called for patience, the club stalwart is adamant the immediate future looks bright for the inaugural Hyundai A-League Champions.
“I’m pretty excited about the season and pretty sure it’s going to be a good one,” Corica said.
“There’s still a couple of players to come back and once they’ve come back for two or three games I think we’ll be starting to hit our straps.”
“We’re definitely not there yet but it’s encouraging (based on) some of the play that we had on the weekend.”
Corica, a veteran of 62 A-League appearances for the Sydney siders, was the shining light in his side’s first victory of the campaign slotting two early goals in a man-of-the match display.
“I’m playing well and obviously two goals helped last week, I feel fit and that’s the main thing,” a modest Corica said.
Asked if the arrival of new blood in the club had forced a change in his own game, Corica explained: “My role’s pretty much the same all the time really, I play behind the strikers and whether there’s one or three up there it doesn’t really matter.”
“I just try and get in the best positions really behind them and provide the best support for them and obviously supply the passes through for them.”
The Sky Blues host Perth Glory on Sunday and while many experts cast doubts over David Mitchell’s men at the start of the season, Corica is expecting another tough task against the men from the West.
“I watched their game on the weekend (against the Newcastle Jets) and it was an entertaining game really, they scored three goals and they were unlucky not to get the win,” Corica said.
“They looked good going forward, obviously they still conceded a few goals so we’ll look at that and try and do the same.”
“We want to score goals and have an entertaining game.”
