The Wollongong Wolves are set to experience the perfect tune up for the NSW Men's National Premier League finals, with the side to face Sydney FC in a friendly next month.
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The current NPL ladder leaders will host the defending A-League champions at WIN Stadium on Wednesday August 14, with the match set to play a key role in Sydney FC's preparations for the A League season.
The game will potentially be even more important for the Wolves, however, with the fixture falling between the end of the NPL regular season and the start of the finals.
Should the Wolves maintain their place atop the NPL table, they will receive a bye in the opening weekend of finals play before a preliminary final on Wednesday August 21.
Wollongong coach Luke Wilkshire said the game will be a great opportunity for his players to test their skills against high-quality opposition.
"As a player you want to test yourself against the best, and this will be a good hit out for the boys," Wilkshire said.
"It's going to be interesting taking on my former club but I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again and I look forward to seeing my players measure themselves against the best team in the A League."
With the Wolves featuring a number of former, and likely future, A League players, Sydney FC coach Steve Corica said his team is in for a tough outing.
That, he believes, will be the perfect tune up for the upcoming A League season.
"Wollongong Wolves are a good team and this match will be a great test in the lead up to the new season," Corica said.
"Preparations are coming along well for us, we're pushing the players to ensure they're at their peak for round one and this game will be a great way to work on what we've been doing in training.
"It'll be great to see Luke again as well, we enjoyed some memorable times together at Sydney FC and it's pleasing to see him excelling as a coach now."
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