They were the last team to secure their place in the finals and their record against the other teams in the top six is average but Sydney FC skipper Terry McFlynn believes the Sky Blues are the team opposition clubs will fear heading into the Hyundai A-League finals.
They were the last team to secure their place in the finals and their record against the other teams in the top six is average but Sydney FC skipper Terry McFlynn believes the Sky Blues are the team opposition clubs will fear heading into the A-League finals.
Doing away with the conservatism that normally grips players heading into a finals campaign, McFlynn is confident the Sky Blues are hitting top form at just the right time to mount a serious challenge for the title.
The Sydney skipper, who will play his 150th A-League game for the club in the elimination final against Wellington on Friday night, has helped guide the club into the play-offs after a strong finish to the regular season.
And McFlynn has no doubts his side is the one other teams will hope to avoid in the finals and believes they have what it takes to be a major threat over the next month.
“We’re hitting form at just right time,” the Sky Blues captain said.
“The fact we did have to get results in the last two games against the (Melbourne) Heart and Newcastle showed the mental resolve in squad.”
“When we’ve been asked questions this season we’ve always stood up.”
“We showed against all of the teams that we’re a match for anyone.”
“Brisbane away, Central Coast away, albeit we lost in the last two minutes in Brisbane and drew with Central Coast in the last minute…we matched it with the best two teams in the competition so we don’t fear anyone.”
“It is cup final football from here on in. It’s about having the right mental attitude and the right application to do the job in hand.”
The first step for Sydney if they are to go all the way begins with the tricky trip across the Tasman to face the Phoenix on Friday night.
Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka admits he has ‘nightmares’ about coming up against Paul Ifill but insists he won’t employ any special tactics to stop the influence of the influential Wellington striker.
The Barbadian has been a thorn in Sydney FC’s side all season, scoring in all three clashes which have all ended in Phoenix wins.
Asked about the threat of Ifill, Lavicka said: “He is a nightmare for Sydney FC.”
“Ifill is a great attacking player no matter if he’s playing wide or central.”
“He’s scored in every game we’ve played them so this is one of the key points, we need to stop him.”
“We don’t play the man-to-man marking, we play zonally so whichever player is close to Paul must do a good job and stop him.”
“But Wellington Phoenix is not just about one player. We have to get ready for everyone because they are strong everywhere.”
McFlynn is the only player left at the club that has been there since season one, helping deliver two championships in six seasons.
The Northern Irishman is keen to play out his career at the club and admits it will be extra special reaching the milestone in such an important game for the club.
“It’s a very proud moment for me to represent the club 150 times but more importantly we’ve got a big game in Wellington and it’s about going over there and getting the job done and staying alive in the finals,” McFlynn said.
“(Joining Sydney) gave me a chance to re-invigorate my love for football and I always said I’d do all I can to repay that faith.
“I said I’d only ever leave the club when they don’t want me but thankfully they’ve wanted me up to this point.”
