It’s news that will fill Sydney FC players and fans with plenty of optimism and will ensure the Wellington Phoenix will be feeling a little uneasy heading into Friday night’s elimination final.
It’s news that will fill Sydney FC players and fans with plenty of optimism and will ensure the Wellington Phoenix will be feeling a little uneasy heading into Friday night’s elimination final.
Sydney FC marquee man Brett Emerton said he is starting to feel more and more comfortable in the Sky Blues jersey and wants to lift his game even further heading into the finals.
Emerton’s experience and class has been evident in Sydney’s run-in to the finals and the Socceroos midfielder said he plans to go to another level against the Phoenix.
“I’m pretty happy with my form and how I’ve gone this season,” Emerton said ahead of the clash with Wellington.
“Obviously being an older and more experienced player and playing a lot of very important matches throughout my career it’s up to me to drag the boys along.”
“I’m really excited. It’s been some time since I’ve played in finals football and it’s exciting going from week to week.”
“I’m treating it as a very important game in my career.”
“I want to achieve good things at this football club, that’s what I came here to do.”
“The first step has been taken, we’re in the top six and now let’s see how far we can go.”
While the Sky Blues only just scraped into the finals in the very last game, Emerton is confident now they are there they can give the competition a real shake.
“We’re finding form at the right time of the season,” he said.
“Our performances over recent weeks have been very good, so on that we can beat anyone in this competition.”
“As a team we respond better to (do-or-die games).”
“It’s going to be difficult to play at that level for a number of weeks but we’re up to the challenge.”
Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka has been trying all week to find a way to best attack the Phoenix side, who have won all three clashes between the two clubs this season.
While admitting his side need to match Wellington’s aggressive style, the Sky Blues boss doesn’t think his side is too far off turning the tables on the Kiwis.
“We want to change some small details on the park but generally we want to keep the same style that we’ve been playing all season or especially in the last part of it,” Lavicka said.
“This season for us has been quite inconsistent but the last part we’ve improved.”
“We’ve put in quite good performances and we picked up the points as well so I’d just like it too continue that way.”
