Captain's knocks, new faces and match-winning braces: The A-League players who were the difference in Round 19
Round 19 was an interesting weekend of football with no draws, 19 goals in six matches, two five-goal games on Sunday and for the…
Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold is confident his side can maintain their high level while also juggling the demands of the AFC Champions League (ACL).
Few A-League teams have been able to successfully handle the demands of domestic and continental competition in the past.
But the all-conquering Sky Blues, who scored a commanding 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar on Monday night, appear well equipped to buck the trend.
“It’s a great challenge. We have no fear,” Arnold said.
“At the end of the day, the draw from FFA is great for the Champions League with split rounds.
“We go into the Champions League expecting to do exceptionally well.
“We definitely won’t be using it as an excuse.”
Sydney’s first Asian clash will be at home on February 14 against a yet-to-be-determined team — most likely Socceroos defender Matt Jurman’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
The other teams drawn with the Sky Blues in Group H are Shanghai Shenhua and Kashima Antlers.
Crucially, a rejigged A-League draw means Sydney only have to contend with less than a full three-day break twice, affecting their last two Champions League group fixtures as they clash with their Round 25 and 27 A-League assignments.
By that stage, Sydney may well already have the A-League premiers’ plate sewn up.
Their win over the Roar gave them an 11-point lead over the second-placed Newcastle Jets — a handy buffer that should serve as a safety net should things go awry in their first foray into Asia under Arnold.
Meanwhile, Arnold said the Sky Blues will announce the re-signing of four players this week while confirming he was still searching for a recruit to boost their ACL squad.
“We’re looking. We’ve got money left in the cap still to bring another Australian or foreign player in,” he said.
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