Football

IT’S crucial we get something out of Saturday’s game against Adelaide United.

With another break from A-League fixtures looming, the club needs some more points on the board before we chase FIFA Club World Cup glory in Morocco next week.

A 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar on Wednesday night kept us bottom of the competition for another few days at least. 

The early goal from Henrique made things difficult, particularly on a rain-soddened pitch in Sydney.

Brisbane parked the bus for large portions of the second half and at times they had all 11-players behind the ball defending.

While we again played some good football and created chances, there was little to show for it in the way of points at full time.

Fortunately we have a quick turnaround and Adelaide provides another opportunity to kickstart the season.

The Reds have been super impressive this year and only suffered their first loss last weekend to another unbeaten side in Melbourne Victory. 

The key on Saturday will be restricting their possession.

They like to control the game for long periods so the boys will need to be in their face from the outset at Coopers Stadium.

Points are vital as it will be our last match in the league until after Christmas.

A-League commitments are to be put on hold as the squad heads to Morocco on Sunday to prepare for our clash with CONCACAF champions Cruz Azul in the Club World Cup.

A win in that match would set up a dream contest against Spanish giants Real Madrid.

While it’s a huge incentive, the trip overseas means our schedule gets no easier when the boys arrive home again.

Like our busy start to the season, the new year is going to be another hectic and vital portion of the campaign for the Wanderers. But with nineteen games still remaining there is no need to panic just yet.

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SYDNEY FC must be preparing to test the water in the transfer window.

Ali Abbas’s injury is the club’s second season ender in a little over a fortnight after Corey Gameiro ruptured his ACL in late November.

Both Abbas and Gameiro have been key starters for the Sky Blues throughout the start of the campaign and will surely be missed in the club’s premiership quest.

It would come as no surprise to see Graham Arnold bring in an injury replacement or two in the January window to bolster the squad.

The Sydney boss has made no secret he wasn’t happy with the challenge the has left Abbas facing 15-months on the sidelines.

For me, the tackle was unfortunate but by no means intentional.

It has been pretty disappointing to hear accusations towards Iacopo La Rocca and the club in regards to the challenge.

At the Wanderers it is never any of our aim to go out and injure an opponent. It isn’t our mentality nor is it something the coaching staff or the club encourage at any stage.

The tackle was purely an unlucky tangle between two players hungry to be involved in the opening minutes of a Derby.

Abbas’s awkward position and some slight contact from Iacopo La Rocca unfortunately caused a pretty shocking injury.

The so called ‘hi-five’ after the incident was nothing more than a bit of encouragement to keep focused on the match and was completely separate from the challenge.