Sydney FC midfielder Anthony Caceres has labelled tonight’s ACL Two clash with Bangkok United as the Sky Blues’ most important game of their season so far.
Despite dominating large swathes of the home leg, Sydney FC were forced to come from behind at Allianz Stadium, eventually taking the lead thanks to substitute Adrian Segecic’s double in the second-half.
However the Sky Blues succumbed to a 95th minute equaliser from United’s Thitiphan Puangchan meaning the tie is finely balanced heading into the second leg in Bangkok.
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“It’s a very important game, I think the most important of our season so far,” said Socceroos midfielder Caceres when addressing local media at the pre-game press conference.
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“Us, as players, have the responsibility to understand that. It’s a goal of the club to win everything possible and we need to understand the importance of this game and what it represents.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us to represent our league and our country in Asia and we want to put on a performance that we’re proud of and that our fans are proud of also.”
A factor that may well come into play in Thailand will be the weather conditions in which Ufuk Talay’s side will be playing.
Whilst competing in temperatures in the high twenties is nothing new for Sydney FC, the fact it’s forecast to be around 90% humidity during the game could pose a problem for Talay’s side at a packed out Thammasat Stadium.
“Yeah look we play our competition in Summer as well so the boys are pretty used to it, the heat,” said Talay when asked how his side will combat the weather conditions.
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“The humidity might be a little bit different but today has been a nice day so hopefully we can have the same tomorrow!
Speaking about the first leg, Talay said: “We played well in the first game. I think we dominated the game, especially with the ball.
“More so the transition moments are important for us, we need to nullify the opponents, but I believe it will be a little bit more of a different game.
“They’re playing at home, they probably want to come out and take the game to us which should provide us with some opportunities to go the other way in transition as well.”
Something that will come as welcome relief for Sydney FC is the fact the away goals ruling is NOT in place in this season’s Asian Champions League Two.
Despite the fact Bangkok United found the back of the net twice in the home leg in Sydney, if scores are level at the end of the 90 minutes in Thailand then extra-time and a subsequent penalty shootout will take place if necessary.
The game in Bangkok marks the start of a busy period for Talay and Co, who will fly straight to Western Australia after the game as they prepare for a Saturday night showdown with Perth Glory in Round 20 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Match details
Bangkok United v Sydney FC
Date: Wednesday, February 19 2025
Competition: AFC Asian Champions League Two
Stage: Round of 16 – Second Leg
Venue: Thammasat Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 11pm AEDT
Broadcast: Live and FREE on 10 Play
