Frank Farina faces the monumental task of rebuilding Sydney FC’s battered confidence ahead of a crucial run of games which could define the Sky Blues’ season.
Frank Farina faces the monumental task of rebuilding Sydney FC’s battered confidence ahead of a crucial run of games which could define the Sky Blues’ season.
Sydney fans had their Christmas spoiled after watching their side dismantled 5-2 by league-leaders Brisbane Roar at a wet Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.
Despite taking an early lead through an Alessandro Del Piero free-kick, the Sky Blues were blown off the park and if not for goal-keeper Vedran Janjetovic would have faced an even heavier defeat.
While they will remain in the top six heading into 2014, the capitulation to the Roar was Sydney’s third loss in their last four games and has allowed the chasing pack to close in.
With tricky away games against Adelaide and arch-rivals Western Sydney Wanderers to come in their next two matches, Farina needs to find a way to stop the rot.
“Sometimes out of adversity you learn a lot more than when things bounce your way or go well,” the disappointed Sky Blues coach said.
“The priority for us now and for me as the manager is to get the players back on track.
“A loss like this at home always hurts. Everyone from the fans, through to coaches and players, no one deliberately goes out to play poorly but we did.
“It’s important now how we bounce back. It’s not the end of the world…everyone gets knocked down but it’s how you react.
“How you get back up, and bounce back from it, that’s the most important thing.
“Some (players) can take their bat and ball and go home or you can stand up and fight and be determined and show everyone we’re better than that.”
Del Piero’s moment of magic aside, Sydney were clearly second best in the first half and trailed 3-1 at the break after a brace from former attacker Dimitri Petratos and another goal from Thomas Broich.
The Sky Blues improved after the break but never really threatened a comeback, with Petratos completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot 12 minutes from time.
“At the end of the day we were shown a football lesson tonight…there’s no hiding from the fact,” Farina admitted.
“They were the better team, more mobile, they moved the ball better and we couldn’t cope with it.
“We weren’t pushing up quick enough, we weren’t close to players, we didn’t cope with their pace and movement. If you don’t match that you’re going to struggle. And we didn’t match that.”
Compounding matters for the Sky Blues was another injury to skipper Del Piero, with the Italian not returning after half-time with a recurrence of his back/hip tightness.
“It’s unfortunate Alessandro had to go off at halftime again but that’s life,” Farina said.
“He said he was fine, he trained through while we were away (in Wellington) so we just have go with it.”
