Sydney’s frightful run of poor form will need to come to a sharp end if they wish to progress to the latter stages of the Asian Champions league.
Sydney’s last victory came in mid-January in the Sydney Derby at Parramatta and it is this worrying slump which has given them the status of ‘whipping boys’ in their group, a group which boasts six Asian Champions League titles between the three other teams.
Guangzhou on the other hand are polar opposite. With Colombian forward Jackson Martinez leading the line and Brazilian duo Paulinho and Ricardo Goulart dictating play from their respective roles in midfield, it looks as if Sydney will be right up against it right from the first whistle.
Making it even harder for the Sky Blues is that key players will be missing in this crucial match. Skipper Alex Brosque has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and has now been placed under an injury cloud for the remainder of the A-League season while Matt Simon appears to be a doubt.
With this in mind, the Sky Blues’ midfield will be thrust into question with Serbian duo Milos Ninkovic and Milos Dimitrijevic needing to anchor the midfield and repel anything Guangzhou has to offer.
The key man for Guangzhou and the man that the Sky Blues need to stop at all costs is Ricardo Goulart. A one-time Brazilian international, the Brazilian wizard carries an enormous attacking threat and with 19 goals in 27 appearances for the Chinese powerhouse, he has a record that resembles a deadly striker.
A natural number 10, Goulart has the ability to drift wide as well as play as a supporting striker and if given ample room, can cause major havoc.
That being said, Graham Arnold has defensive options up his sleeve. With Jacques Faty, Seb Ryall and Rhyan Grant suspended in the league, Arnold will have the option of getting a full 90 minutes from them and the Sky Blues faithful will be roaring to see them have a solid night in defence.
There are no major absentees for Guangzhou as they commence their Chinese Super League campaign on Sunday when they travel to Chongquin.
Despite a rusty showing in their ACL opener against Pohang Steelers, they will be looking for all three points tonight in a match in which they will back themselves to win.
Managers
Sydney manager Graham Arnold has been vocal in previous weeks and he has not held back in the last few days stating that Sydney FC need to play with an “Australian mentality” which consists of “being aggressive, fighting for 90 minutes and trying to put Guangzhou off their game”.
Rhyan Grant and Milos Ninkovic have also been in bullish moods saying that they are not intimidated and that they are relishing the opportunity.
Opposing manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, a World Cup winning manager, was far more defensive, dismissing assumptions that this will be an easy match, despite the huge gulf in finances.
Prediction
The struggle for goals this season has been well documented for the Sky Blues and it is nearing a month since they last scored multiple goals, in an away 2-2 draw against Adelaide. Without the firepower of Brosque and Simon, the chances of knicking vital goals become even slimmer.
Sydney’s defence is also capable of being breached, they’ve conceded two goals or more in four of their last six matches. Of those four matches, two have been home matches, signalling that Moore Park has been far from a fortress this season.
As for Guangzhou, Jackson Martinez was criticised in the press for a poor showing against Pohang and this might just be the opportunity he needs to atone for his errors. Guangzhou Evergrande to win it.
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