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Central Coast striker Sasho Petrovski believes Sydney FC are only putting unnecessary pressure on themselves by talking up their title chances.
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Setting the tone for an intriguing reunion with his former club on Saturday night, Petrovski said there wasn’t much for Sydney to gain from flaunting their big name signings and publicly stating their desire to buy back the A-League trophy.
“They’ve gone out and announced they’re going to set the benchmark, so they’re the ones putting pressure on themselves,” Petrovski said today.
“They’re probably capable of backing it up because they’ve recruited possibly the best out of the whole league with the quality and experience they’ve bought.
“But I just hope they put their best team out against us so we can look to exploit any of the weaknesses they’ve got left in them, if there are any.”
Petrovski won’t quite get his wish, with Sydney marquee striker John Aloisi (foot) to miss another week and captain Tony Popovic out with a virus.
But with striker Alex Brosque back from suspension and Olyroos Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik available, John Kosmina’s squad will still be far stronger than last weekend when they held on 0-0 against Melbourne Victory.
Seventeen-year-old schoolboy striker Chris Payne gets another chance to impress.
“I’m very much looking forward to it,” added Petrovski.
“If I cop a bit of niggle, they’re probably going to get a bit back. But there’s no hard feelings, it’s just all part of the game and I’m looking forward to playing against a very good friend of mine like (Iain) Fyfe and the other guys that are still there from when I was there.”
Petrovski was the hero when the two sides opened the 2007-08 season and his seventh minute strike earned the Mariners a 1-0 win at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“You could never write that sort of script again,” said the 33-year-old, a member of Sydney’s inaugural title-winning side in 2005-06.
“If only you could. It would mean a lot to me if I can score against them again. You’ll see in my celebration just how much.”
It was no Petrovski fairytale the last time the two sides met in the league, though, with Sydney running out 5-4 winners in an incredible match.
The two sides last met in the pre-season cup, and it was the heroics of Mark Bosnich in goal, including a penalty save, that stole the headlines in the Mariners’ 3-0 win.
Former Aston Villa and Manchester United star Bosnich will likely warm the bench for the Mariners this weekend after signing a seven-week stint.
Bosnich will take over from regular ‘keeper Danny Vukovic the following week against Queensland Roar when the 23-year-old begins his five-week ban for striking a referee.
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