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Sydney players are confident coach Graham Arnold’s inside knowledge of Central Coast will help the pacesetting A-League side to break another bogey this week.
Arnold will coach for the first time in a competitive game against the club he famously led to the 2012-13 A-League title when the two teams meet on Sunday.
Coming off their first win over the Roar in Brisbane in seven years, unbeaten Sydney are second on goal difference behind Melbourne Victory.
The Mariners have had the wood over Sydney FC in their recent meetings, with the Sky Blues losing their last three encounters with Central Coast.
“I think now with having Arnie here, he knows the background of the Mariners, so I think we’ll get over them.” Sydney FC midfielder Terry Antonis said.
“It’s going to be good knowing some information about them.
“Arnie is a great coach. Since day one, he’s changed a heap of things and everyone is happy and everyone wants to train and win for him and play for him.”
Former Central Coast star Bernie Ibini will also be lining up against his old club for the first time.
The new Socceroo is unlikely to celebrate if his first A-League goal for Sydney comes against the Mariners.
“If I score, we’ll see what happens, but probably not,” Ibini said.
“I definitely had a good time up there. I have a lot of close mates up there still.”
Asked if Arnold appeared more motivated than usual for his first tussle with his old club Ibini said: “Knowing Arnie, I guess he’ll be motivated for every single game, he wants to win all the games, so I think this will be no different.”
One of four quality forwards to join Sydney this season – along with Alex Brosque, Marc Janko and Shane Smeltz – Ibini stressed they were still bedding down their attacking structure, which also includes in-form youngster Corey Gameiro.
“We’ve got a lot of depth up front, so it’s definitely tough to get in the side,” Ibini said.
“We’re still trying to find our best formation and best players to play in which positions, so it’s a little bit different, but we’re still finding our feet.”
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