Sydney FC conquered Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night but the result was significant in more ways than one for Steve Corica and the stuttering Isuzu UTE A-League powerhouse.
Max Burgess’ stunning goal settled an entertaining Sydney Super Cup contest after Robert Mak had cancelled out Kyogo Furuhashi’s 23rd-minute opener.
Corica and Postecoglou reunited on the touchline, having previously gone head-to-head in the AFC Champions League.
During Postecoglou’s time in charge of Yokohama F.Marinos, the Japanese club crushed Sydney 4-0 before a 1-1 draw in 2020, so Corica was glad to finally take down the Football Australia Hall of Famer at the third attempt.
“Haha, yeah we played them a couple of times in the Champions League and they smashed us in one of the games and we’ve had a draw,” Corica told reporters post-game. “So it’s nice to get one over him this time around.
“At our stadium as well, this is our first win at the stadium and that’s very pleasing for the players.”
It was Sydney’s first win at the brand new stadium at Moore Park, where the Sky Blues were coming off a derby defeat to city rivals Western Sydney Wanderers last week – a result that left them sixth and nine points off the pace.
Sydney had also suffered a loss in the ‘Big Blue’ against Melbourne Victory, while playing out a draw with Adelaide United.
With the monkey off Sydney’s back, Corica is eyeing the visit of A-League Men leaders Melbourne City on December 10, when the league resumes following the FIFA Men’s World Cup break.
“I think you just have to build from that,” Corica said when asked by KEEPUP how Sydney could translate Thursday’s display into the league.
“It’s always difficult coming to a new stadium. everyone actually likes playing here, it’s not just us. The A-Leagues team come and see the new stadium, they want to play good football and beat us just as much.
It’s nice to get the first win, especially against a quality team. But we have to move forward now. The monkey is off our back now for wins here. Our next game is against Melbourne City here in three weeks. They’re doing really well and we have to stop them.
Burgess has been limited to substitute appearances for Sydney this season but the attacker made his first start of the campaign, albeit in a friendly, and impressed.
The 27-year-old was a threat throughout and produced a moment of magic to settle the contest on the hour mark, which has only enhanced his chances of a starting berth once the ALM resumes as Sydney look to kick-start their campaign.
“I thought he was really good tonight,” Corica said. “Worked really hard, broke forward quickly, combined well with Mak and [Joe] Lolley. Defensively worked hard as well.
“We have three weeks now before the next game. The goal he took he has done that before as well. He can score goals. He’s obviously put himself in a better position now. Gives him a very good chance of playing.”
I’m not a violin player, mate
Sydney spoiled Postecoglou’s homecoming in an end-to-end display of football.
All eyes were on Postecoglou upon his return to Australia, while he was honoured pre-game following his induction in Football Australia’s Hall of Fame.
But Celtic came up short against the A-League Men’s most successful club and Postecoglou was in no mood to make excuses, despite a long journey from Scotland to Australia.
In trademark Postecoglou fashion when asked if he would cut his players some slack after travelling across the globe, the A-Leagues legend replied: “Nah I’m not a violin player, mate.
“We get on with it. Yeah they’re tired but so what? The game was today not tomorrow.”
He added: “We set a standard, expectations and levels and if we fall below that, it’s disappointing, irrespective of the circumstances or what the environment is.”
Postecoglou, though, was complementary of the opposition afterwards.
“Entertaining game for everyone. Plenty of goal-mouth action but we were nowhere near it,” he said ahead of Sunday’s game against Everton at Accor Stadium.
“Credit to Sydney. They were sharp and started the game better. Sydney deserved to win… They did well and were brave.”