Karol Kisel comes to Sydney to score

 
The Crowd Roar Pro

By jimbo, 13 Jul 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro

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Karol Kisel, the former Slovakian international footballer and former Sparta Prague attacking midfielder, has joined Sydney FC this season intent on scoring for the club.

Kisel played 129 games for Sparta, including several UEFA Cup matches and scored 25 goals. He was also capped 23 times for his country.

He said he was not concerned about the pressures that come with being a key signing for the glamour club. Karol just wants to entertain A-League fans, have a bit of fun and maybe score a few goals.

“I like to score goals … every year I play, I score some nice goals so I want to score here and make fun for the people”

Kisel played previously for the new Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka at Sparta Prague and Liberec in Czechoslovakia.

But the creative midfielder said that his move to Australia had been more inspired by his experience of the 2000 Sydney Olympics than by Lavicka’s presence. Kisel, who is studying law, said he was not drawn to Sydney just because of his association with Lavicka.

“I liked it here when I came for the Olympics in 2000,” he said. Asked whether he had travelled as a spectator, he smiled and replied: “No, I played for Slovakia in the football competition.

“I wanted to come back here because the people were very nice … and so I am here now.

“He is a good coach but it is not the main reason, I think if Sydney FC called me without the coach, I would still come here.”

He prefers playing in central or on the right side of midfield and wanted to provide some entertainment for the local fans. In preseason matches he looked very much at home in the Sydney FC heart of midfield and a perfect pairing with 4 year A-League veteran and club captain Steve Corica.

Not that he knows too much about the A-League.

“I know that Sydney FC is one of the best clubs,” he said. “They did not have a good season last year so we are going to change it.”

Sparta Prague won the Czech League and cup double in 2007 and lifted the cup again in 2008 during Kisel’s time at the club so he’s tasted success already.

Since coming to Sydney he has made it clear that he is keen to add another trophy.

Here are some impressive video highlights of Karol playing for Sparta Prague:

It shows Kisel can kick with both feet, can score on the ground or in the air or with free kicks, has a good passing game and an aggressiveness that shows he is not afraid to track back and work hard in defence.

The quietly spoken Slovakian, who has settled in quite nicely in his new Sydney environment, might not make the same Back Page headlines as Dwight Yorke or Juninho, but may be just as influential in helping Sydney FC to get their next trophy in Australian football.

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