Sydney big guns impress Corica ahead of ALM finals

The cream is rising to the top for Sydney FC as they approach the A-League Men finals with their big name stars on the park and in fine form.

The only sour note to a 2-0 away win over Brisbane on Monday night, which secured a finals position for fifth-placed Sydney, was a hamstring injury to winger Robert Mak just before half-time after he slotted the opening goal at Suncorp Stadium.

Sydney coach Stephen Corica said the early indication was that the injury was not serious and that the Slovakia international should be right for the finals in a fortnight’s time.

Mak, striker Adam Le Fondre and No.10 Joseph Lolley all combined superbly against Brisbane.

“Those three are going really well,” Corica said.

“Obviously Adam has had a couple of injuries throughout the season which is why they haven’t played as much together but there is a really good combination and good connection there.

“They are scoring goals which is great.”

The Sky Blues have won their past two games and drew the two before that. Corica said they want to finish the regular season with a home win over Newcastle on Saturday but he may elect to rest some players with niggles.

“(Mak) has a tight hamstring. It was a little bit precautionary when he told us he wanted to come off,” Corica said.

“We will wait and see. He might be one we will probably look to rest if it is no good and just get him ready for the finals. He knows his body pretty well.”

Le Fondre has missed two months of football with injury but has scored in each of his last three games after returning.

“He is our main striker and when he does get opportunities he does take them,” Corica said.

“He is a threat and he makes good runs as well but his work-rate defensively is a highlight for me.”

Corica said the most pleasing aspect of his team’s performance against Brisbane was in defence and goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne asserted his big game credentials with a sensational game. He made multiple saves to deny the Roar.

“That is what we expect from him,” Corica said.

“He is a big, brave goalkeeper and it was nice for him to keep a clean sheet. It was great for his confidence and great for the team’s as well.”