Preview: Sydney FC v Arsenal

A near capacity crowd will be on hand in Sydney on Thursday night as Arsenal take on Hyundai A-League champions Sydney FC in the Premier League club’s first visit down under in more than 40 years.

WHERE: ANZ Stadium, Sydney

HOW TO WATCH IT: The clash is being shown live on SBS VICELAND from 7.30pm

KICK-OFF: The match gets underway at 8pm

SQUAD NEWS

*Wenger confirmed Arsenal’s record-signing Alexandre Lacazette would feature during the match.

Australian fans will be the first to see @Arsenal's record signing in action – Details>>> https://t.co/rAFCstQTZX pic.twitter.com/EVotQAIIUs

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) July 11, 2017

*Championship heroes Danny Vukovic, Filip Holosko, Bernie Ibini and Milos Dimitrijevic are no longer at the Sky Blues.

*Gunners stars Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are in the squad, although Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez didn’t make the trip to Sydney.

WHAT THEY SAID

Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold:

“Arsenal is a club that a lot of football coaches in Australia would look at and admire the way they play. In a lot of ways we try to replicate what they do in the way they play the game.

“We know it will be a massive crowd and there will probably be more Arsenal fans than Sydney FC but it’s for the good of the game in this country.

“We played Liverpool not that long ago and there was 80,000 people there. To get the clubs like Arsenal to come out and promote football in our country is big for us.”

.@SydneyFC, @wswanderersfc out to showcase Australian football against @Arsenal – https://t.co/3Y2KQtEWaQ pic.twitter.com/lLxep6RDOz

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) July 11, 2017

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

“I don’t know a lot about them [Sydney FC] but I know they have been very successful. We don’t have the privilege to watch Australian football in England.

“It will be good to have to try and adapt quickly to a team that we don’t know and I believe that’s part of pre-season as well.

“I’m sure we’ll meet two teams of quality and two teams that will play with plenty of enthusiasm against us to show their level. It will be difficult games.”

[GALLERY] @Arsenal touch down in Sydney – https://t.co/bHAmL9Zp2y pic.twitter.com/QhyHGE6XiJ

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) July 11, 2017

 

PREDICTION

Sydney FC 1-2 Arsenal

It’s never easy to predict what’s going to eventuate in what is a first pre-season hit-out for both teams. But it should be a wonderful occasion in what should be an entertaining clash in front of a huge and noisy crowd in Sydney’s west.

[GALLERY] @Arsenal touch down in Sydney – https://t.co/bHAmL9Zp2y pic.twitter.com/QhyHGE6XiJ

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) July 11, 2017

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Sydney FC to play waiting game on recruitment

Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold says the reigning Hyundai A-League champions are in the market for ‘three or four’ players but insists the club will be patient with their recruitment for the new campaign.

SYDNEY FC SQUAD REBUILD

*The Sky Blues have kept the core of their double-winning squad but have lost key players in Danny Vukovic, Bernie Ibini, Filip Holosko and Milos Dimitrijevic.

*The loss of Caltex Socceroos keeper Danny Vukovic is the biggest blow, with the club linked to former Newcastle Jets shot-stopper Mark Birighitti as a potential replacement.

*The loss of Ibini and Holosko opens up at least one spot in the attacking third, with the club re-signing super-sub David Carney for the 2017/18 campaign.

ARNOLD ON POTENTIAL RECRUITS

“We’re early days in recruitment. We have a long off-season and we’ve still got a few months to go,” Arnold told reporters on Tuesday.

“The plan is to bring in better than what we had. We’ve got three or four spots to fill.

“We’ll take our time, be patient and make sure we bring in the right player who wants to make the team successful and make sure they have the right qualities. We’re not in a hurry.”

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Sydney FC unveil new Hyundai A-League kit

Champions Sydney FC have unveiled the club’s new home and away PUMA kits for Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season.

Skipper Alex Brosque was among six players from the Sky Blues double-winning squad on hand at Bondi Icebergs on Wednesday to reveal the new strips.

REVAMP OF SKY BLUES JERSEY

*Following the club’s third Championship in the 2016/17 Season, the strip has a new silhouette, branding and logo.

*It has been designed with PUMA’s latest DryCELL tech fabric to aid player performance and features updated neckline and arm bands.

*Sydney FC’s official new club crest is woven and adorns the front of the shirt along with the Hyundai A-League’s new logo, designed to suit the club’s colours.

*The silver star above the team’s badge now features the number three, representing the club’s third Championship last season.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I love the design and colour scheme of the new shirt, which aligns perfectly with our new logo,” Brosque said.

“It looks fantastic, feels great to wear, and the cut is more comfortable than ever.

“With the number three in the star above our crest, we will step onto the field wearing the jersey with enormous pride to be part of such a great Australian football club.”

The reveal of Sydney FC’s new home and away Kit took place on the same day as the launch of Arsenal and the Sky Blues’ new third kit at Sydney’s Fort Denison and the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Graham Arnold’s side takes on the Gunners at ANZ Stadium tomorrow (Thursday) night.

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Hyundai A-League fixtures: ‘The Chase’

The run-in towards the Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Season Finals Series is set to reach even greater excitement levels thanks to a new feature of the draw known as ‘The Chase’.

In a thrilling new twist to the draw – which was announced last month – the final nine rounds will see every club play each other in the lead in to the Finals Series.

As opposed to recent seasons, teams will play each other twice in the first 18 rounds, setting up a blockbuster run home to make the top six.

“We have added a new feature to this season’s draw with all clubs playing each other twice between rounds 1 to 18,” head of the Hyundai A-League Greg O’Rourke said.

“The remaining nine rounds will see each club play each other once in the lead-up to the finals series.

“This stretch of nine rounds will be known as the ‘The Chase’ with 27 points on offer in the run home to Round 27.

So which club will come home with a wet sail to charge to the Premiership or seal a spot in the Finals Series?

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Arsenal confirm squad for Sydney FC, Wanderers matches

A star-studded Arsenal squad including the likes of Mezut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and new signing Alexandre Lacazette will make the trip to Australia to face Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers this week.

Arsene Wenger has named a 25-man squad for the Gunners’ two-week tour of Australia and Asia, with the English giants set to land in Sydney on Tuesday morning.

Arsenal face Sydney FC on Thursday (July 13) at ANZ Stadum before tackling the Wanderers on Saturday (July 15) at the same venue.

And Australian fans will see the best of Arsenal with almost all their big guns making the trip.

Australia, we're on our way 🇦🇺

Follow us on Instagram for more pic.twitter.com/93eEh6V32q

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 9, 2017

Most interest will be on new French striker Lacazette, who is likely to make his club debut in Australia after completing a club-record £52m move from Lyon last week.

Other big names include German playmaker Ozil, Welsh wizard Ramsey, French striker Olivier Giroud, England internationals Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck, as well as veteran keeper Petr Cech.

WILL we be seeing this fella make his @Arsenal debut at @ANZStadium this week?! He’s in the #ArsenalinSydney squad: https://t.co/b9gGkwEsBM pic.twitter.com/r7jFRjfXsv

— ANZ Stadium (@ANZStadium) July 9, 2017

Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and German defender Shkodran Mustafi have been left out after their exertions for their respective countries at the recent FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

Arsenal’s squad is set to arrive in Australia early on Tuesday, with an official welcome ceremony set down for Tuesday morning at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney.

Arsenal’s squad to tour Australia:

Petr Cech (GK), Emi Martinez (GK), David Ospina (GK), Krystian Bielik, Cohen Bramall, Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Olivier Giroud, Alex Iwobi, Sead Kolasinac, Laurent Koscielny, Alexandre Lacazette, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Donyell Malen, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Joe Willock, Granit Xhaka

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia

Sydney FC’s tribute to ‘unbelievable’ Liverpool

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 –

Aidan Ormond @AidotheFFAEd

Sydney FC striker Matt Simon admitted it was an eye-opening experience seeing Liverpool’s quality up close after the EPL side dismantled the Sky Blues 3-0 at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.

Despite arriving into Sydney from England some 11 hours before the game, the blistering Reds turned it on for the big crowd and were three goals up at the break.

The opening 45 minutes largely thanks to Steven Gerrard’s majestic midfield performance – the Reds legend out of retirement but clearly not out of shape at 36 years of age.

Though there were no more goals in the second half, there was only team in the contest played in front of almost 73,000 fans.

 

It was a great experience to come out against a world class side,” Simon, a second half substitute, told ABC TV.

The Reds’ technique, ball movement and rotations had a rusty Sydney on the back foot from the first whistle.

“You just can’t get close to them [Liverpool],” Simon added.

“They’re just unbelievable, watching them in the first half.

“So rapid and they even had a few more gears to go.

“To be on the same pitch as those guys [Liverpool] is a pleasure].”

Sydney FC certainly missed the class of imports Milos Ninkovic and Jordi Buijs, and were also without Filip Holosko and Bernie Ibini (both have left the club since Grand Final day).

Former Everton player David Carney hit the bar on the stroke of half-time to offer some hope for Sydney.

Simon too with a late effort palmed away by Reds keeper Simon Mignolet.

Those two moments were the best it got for the Sky Blues who ended the game with about half of their outfield players from their youth ranks.

“It was good for the fans, I suppose, a good exhibition game,” Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold told reporters after the game.

“It’s good for our boys, the Australian kids especially, to come up against that quality.

“A lot of young boys haven’t played at international level and to play against that type of quality is a bit of a reality check.

image: http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/A-League/7e/55/brazilian-roberto-firmino-adds-a-third-goal-for-the-reds-before-the-break_opemmzrg8puwz7qfy29xmonm.jpg?t=975997212

“You think you’re doing well, but then there’s still a long way to go until you get to the level of an English Premier League player.

“It’s been tough the last two weeks to keep the boys going after the grand final, but give them the credit for doing their best.

“It’s time for a holiday now.”

This article was originally published at: http://www.a-league.com.au/article/sydney-fcs-tribute-to-unbelievable-liverpool/1q386k9yfye2711poyutr1fbb6.

– See more at: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/sydney-fcs-tribute-to-unbelievable-liverpool/1oijh033tsmxz12eynpi65556d#sthash.UvF8t7mX.dpuf
Read more at http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/sydney-fcs-tribute-to-unbelievable-liverpool/1oijh033tsmxz12eynpi65556d#8S4symB5oeS6SrST.99

Preview: Sydney FC v Liverpool

Wednesday night will be a celebration as Liverpool return to Oz to face recently crowned champions of the Hyundai A-League, Sydney FC, in a high-profile friendly at the 82,000-seat ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Over 70-80,000 fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone? Klopp v Arnie? Bobo and Lallana?

 

How can any fan miss this?

Fresh from finishing fourth in the English Premier League and claiming a coveted Champions League spot, Liverpool will be in celebration mode.

Sunday’s final day 3-0 win over Middlesbrough secured the Reds fourth spot and a Champions League berth next season (albeit initially in the qualifying stage).

But since that win, the Reds have been on a plane traversing the globe.

Liverpool arrive in Sydney 24 hours before kick-off, so perhaps fresh isn’t the best word to describe them on their first night in Sydney.

With this in mind, expect a raft of substitutions for the jet-lagged Reds with club legends and “guest” players Gerrard, Carragher and McManaman also expected to make late cameos as the pace slows.

Clearly Australia and the region love Liverpool.

The club have enjoyed memorable (and lucrative) trips Down Under since 2013 when they packed out the MCG.

Similarly, Sydney FC are on a high after completing the domestic double two weeks ago, with that a return to Champions League football across Asia in 2018.

And despite no Holosko and Ibini (both have moved on) and star man Milos Ninkovic (back in Serbia for family reasons), the Sky Blues will certainly be fresher than the Reds and keen to finish an incredible season with a win against EPL opposition.

They’ve gone close in the past against Chelsea and Spurs. Perhaps this is their best chance to produce a famous win to end a majestic campaign?

SQUAD NEWS

No Brazilian star Coutinho (though Aussie fans can see him for Brazil next month in Melbourne) for the Reds, but Firmino, Origi, Sturridge and Wijnaldum ensure it’ll be an attacking side with plenty of firepower.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Adam Lallana (Liverpool)

A joy to watch. Always wants the ball, creates from just in behind the strikers and can score. One of England’s best players right now.

Bobo (Sydney FC)

Sky Blues’ top scorer. Will relish the spotlight and will have sweet memories of ANZ after he scored in last October’s Sydney Derby.

Firmino (Liverpool)

Livewire Brazilian striker. Second only to Coutinho in total shots this season (106/100), topped chances created with 77, and scored 11 times.

Dave Carney (Sydney FC)

The winger was in super form as a late sub in the Grand Final and being a former Everton player, he’d love to put on over on the Reds. With two strikers out, expect him to start.

FINAL WORD

A perfect way to end the season for both clubs. Liverpool will bask in the glory of a near full house at ANZ and will still be celebrating returning to Europe’s top table, while there’ll be plenty of Sky Blue fans still in celebration mode after the fabulous season they’ve just witnessed.

It should be a noisy, passionate and entertaining contest.

PREDICTION

Sydney FC 2 Liverpool 2

 

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Transfer news: Sky Blues part ways with marquee

Filip Holosko has parted ways with Sydney FC.

Marquee forward Filip Holosko has parted ways with Sydney FC after two seasons with the Sky Blues, the club confirmed on Monday.

Slovakian Holosko has been with Sydney FC since the start of the 2015/16 Hyundai A-League and was instrumental in this season’s title winning side scoring at total of 17 A-League goals across his 52 games for the club and one FFA Cup goal.

The 33-year old thanked the club for one of the most memorable periods in his career.

 

“I have had two great years with Sydney FC and I want to thank everyone at the club, including David Traktovenko, Scott Barlow, the board of directors and Tony Pignata.

“I would also like to thank Graham Arnold for the big opportunity to play for Sydney FC, the greatest and biggest team in Australia, as well as a big thank you to Clarky and Elias and the rest of the coaching and medical staff.

“It has been a great season and many thanks to my team-mates who have been outstanding.

“Also a big thank you to all of the fantastic Members and fans who have supported me and my family throughout my two years with the club.

“Winning the Championship and the Premiers Plate was an incredibly special moment for me and my family.

“This is a hugely professional and family club and I will never forget that.

“I wish Sydney FC all the best for the future.”

Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold praised Holosko as both a player and person.

“Filip is one of the nicest people I have worked with in football and he has had a fantastic two seasons with Sydney FC.

“He is a great player and will be remembered fondly by everyone at Sydney FC not just for his football ability but also his character.

“I wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Holosko won’t be available for Wednesday night’s match against Liverpool and has returned to Europe.

 

Source : Football Federation Australia

Hyundai A-League season 2016/2017 review: Sydney FC

A near flawless season saw Graham Arnold’s men claim the double and a place in history as one of the Hyundai A-League’s best-ever teams.

A near flawless season saw Graham Arnold’s men claim the double and a place in history as one of the Hyundai A-League’s best-ever teams. We look at their memorable campaign and look ahead to next season.

Position: Premiers, champions
Record: Played 29, Won 21, Drawn 7, Lost 1
Goals: 59
Conceded: 13
Leading Goal Scorer: Bobo (15)
Best home crowd: 41,546 – Grand Final against Melbourne Victory

Star performer: Milos Ninkovic
In a star-team, the superb Serb shone the brightest. While the Sky Blues were far greater than the sum of their parts, Ninkovic had a quite wonderful season as week after week he produced football of the very highest quality. His ability to score and create goals was just one part of his game, but the stats are worth noting – nine goals, 11 assists and 47 chances created. But he was also a tremendously hard worker and even when teams set out to stymie his influence by double-teaming him, he still found a way to be influential. A worthy winner of the Johnny Warren Medal and a host of other awards and accolades in 2016/17.

Breakout player: Brandon O’Neill
After just 16 appearances across four seasons for Perth Glory, the Western Australian-born youngster signed for Sydney FC before the 2015/16 campaign, featuring 21 times. This season though he took things to another level, starting 24 of the side’s 29 games and becoming a crucial cog in the Sky Blues’ engine-room. His unstinting and industrious work in midfield allowed the others around him to shine, but he was no shrinking violet when it came to free-kicks, with two memorable set piece goals against the Wanderers and Melbourne City on his season CV. At 23 years of age, the world is at his talented feet.

Goal of the year: Bobo
A couple of long-range bullets from Josh Brillante spring instantly to mind, but Sydney FC’s second goal in 3-1 round 19 cakewalk against Wellington summed up everything about this team in one supremely elegant passage of play. Ninkovic picked the ball up in midfield and after a flowing move involving five sumptuous one-touch passes, Bobo clinically headed home Rhyan Grant’s cross to complete one of the most magnificent team goals in Hyundai A-League history.
Highlight: Winning it all
It was an utterly unmatchable season for Graham Arnold’s men as they broke record after record in a simply stunning 27-game regular season. Perth were brushed aside in the semi-final and despite going a goal down to a fired-up Victory side in the grand final, the Sky Blues found a way back through a Rhyan Grant equaliser and after a tense period of extra-time, eventually prevailed in the penalty shoot-out. It would have been cruel for Sydney FC to fall at the final hurdle of a remarkable season, but they ensured their extraordinary story had the ending they had craved since early October.

Lowlight: Derby defeat the sole blemish
A 19-game unbeaten streak came to an end in the season’s third Sydney derby, with a compelling contest decided by former Sky Blue Brendon Santalab’s composed first-half finish. Two confident penalty shouts in the second half were waved away by referee Chris Beath as Sydney fell to their first and – as it turned out – only loss of the season.
What they need:
Very little, really. The bulk of the championship-winning squad is either re-signed or close to it. Securing Ninkovic was a major piece of business and it looks highly likely captain Alex Brosque will also shortly re-commit to the Sky Blues. Doubt remains over Filip Holosko, and should he depart a first-choice striker will be needed, especially given the loss of Bernie Ibini to the USA.

Acquisitions for next season:
TBC
Losses for next season:
Bernie Ibini, Riley Woodcock

Outlook for 2017/18:
After their record-breaking campaign, some would say there’s only one way for Sydney FC to go next season. Instead, Graham Arnold has challenged his side to get even better. That’s a frightening thought for the other nine Hyundai A-League teams who were largely unable to do anything to stop the Sky Blue juggernaut this season. When October rolls around, Sydney FC will be firm favourites to go back-to-back, throwing down the challenge to the likes of Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar and others – catch us if you can.

image: http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/A-League/b5/99/sydney-fc-coach-graham-arnold-has-challenged-his-hyundai-a-league-double-winning-side-to-defend-their-championship-next-season_67mknqwtew3j1tjmy9z63sx0u.jpg?t=-455204349

Source : Football Federation Australia

Sydney FC unveil new logo and announce stadium deal

Sydney FC has begun a new era in the club’s history with the unveiling of a new logo.

Tuesday, 16 May 2017 –

@SydneyFC

Sydney FC has begun a new era in the club’s history with the unveiling of a new logo and renewal of a ten-year lease with Allianz Stadium.

The Sky Blues new logo is an evolution of the existing crest and represents an iconic club for an iconic city.

Chairman Scott Barlow believes the design will provide fresh impetus and drive to Sydney FC as the club moves into the next phase of its development.

“This new crest represents a coming of age for our club. It is an evolution of the previous design with a number of respectful nods to the past,” he said.

“It is a premium and authentic football crest that will stand the test of time and be a true reflection of our club and our identity.

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSydneyFootballClub%2Fvideos%2F1507539109265469%2F&show_text=1&width=560“A big thank you to those Sydney FC members who were involved throughout the design process.”

The logo reveals the sails from the Sydney Opera House as seen from the Sky Blues home ground of Allianz Stadium with the Federation star remaining a feature from the previous badge.

Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold says it shows the club is moving forward.

“It is important the club is continuing to evolve and grow as we improve as a team after the fantastic season that we have experienced.

“The city of Sydney is a big, beautiful and iconic city and this logo represents it very well.”

 

Club captain Alex Brosque is delighted with the new look.

“I really like the design, the colours are our traditional colours.  I think it’s a very modern logo.

“I showed a couple of the boys and we were impressed and will be extremely proud to wear it next year.”

A recurring theme in recent conversations with Members and supporters at club forums has been the need for a new and improved crest and a select band of Members helped in the consultation towards the new logo.

Sydney FC and Cove Member Brendan Slowey was part of the consultation group and says the logo looks fabulous.

“It’s been an honour for The Cove to be part of the process of the redesign of the club’s crest.

“The club wanted something that would be timeless but that also honoured the crest which came before. We feel strongly that this design achieves that.

“We look forward to seeing it on our shirts along with the golden A-League Champion badge.”

The club will be phasing in the logo over the next few weeks with the official changeover set to happen on July 1 and the crest to appear on next season’s new team kits.

Sydney FC have also reached an agreement with the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust for the club to continue to use Allianz Stadium as its home ground for the next ten years.

“Allianz Stadium is a fantastic venue and one we are very proud to call our home,” said Barlow.

“We have had some great occasions playing at this stadium, none more so than winning the A-League Championship last weekend and I envisage we will have further success in the future.”

SCG Trust Chairman Tony Shepherd said: “Sydney FC have grown into one of the city’s biggest sporting clubs and we’re delighted that they will call Allianz Stadium home for the next decade.

“Their passionate fan base continues to grow, with more than 256,000 supporters cheering on the Sky Blues this season at one of the best football venues in the country. The atmosphere and excitement that the club’s supporters create at every event is unique in Australian sport.

“Football has a long and proud history at Moore Park and we’re excited to see Sydney FC build on that heritage in the years to come.

 

 

Source : Football Federation Australia