Inspirational Sydney FC skipper Steve Corica will again lead the side next season after deciding to delay his decision to hang up his boots for at least another year.
The veteran midfielder has been a mainstay in the team since playing a starring role in Sydney FC’s Championship win in the inaugural year of the Hyundai A-League and is looking forward to more success as he embarks on his fifth campaign.
“I had a lot to think about in the off-season. I spoke to a lot of experienced players and friends of mine and obviously family. I thought about it a while and my body still felt good and I wanted to play another year,” said Corica.
“I thought I did alright last year, (but) it was a disappointing season and I didn’t want to finish off on a note like that. This season I’m hoping for a much better performance from all of us.”
The Sky Blues will enter the 2009/10 Hyundai A-League season under the guidance of new coach Vitezslav Lavicka, who arrived in Australia on Thursday to take up his post, and Corica believes the club is in good stead for the future.
“A lot of changes have come into the club and that can only be good for it,” he said.
“The new coach coming in is exciting for all the players. We’ve got a lot of young boys so hopefully he’s going to lead the ship in the right direction.”
This season will most likely be Corica’s last, but the 36-year-old wouldn’t rule out playing on for another campaign.
“At the moment I’d probably say it will be my last season, unless I have a blinder then probably I’ll have to come back for another one,” he said. “We’ll have to wait and see again I suppose.”
Sydney will begin its preparation for the new season when pre-season training gets underway on April 27.
