His squad is the envy of the A-League. Now Sydney FC coach John Kosmina is set to experience a selection headache his contemporaries could only dream about – how to fit Socceroos hero John Aloisi into a strike force which wreaked havoc against Central Coast on Saturday night.
Attacking trio Steve Corica, Alex Brosque and Mark Bridge were all superb as 10-man Sydney claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Mariners in another thrill-a-minute derby at Bluetongue Stadium.
An evergreen Corica, one of the competition’s elder statesmen at 35, bagged a first half double with goals in the sixth and 14th minutes.
But it was his work with fellow attacking wide man Brosque and striker Bridge – in their first proper outing together – which most impressed, as the trio at times looked to toy with the Mariners defence with their speed and ball movement.
After such a wonderful display, it would seem a difficult task to try and fit marquee star Aloisi – who is more of a target man up front – into the attacking third.
But with Aloisi a possibility of returning for Sunday’s home match with Perth after missing the opening weeks with a foot injury, coach John Kosmina insists he will have no trouble accommodating the 32-year-old.
“No, because they’ve all got different strengths and weaknesses,” said Kosmina.
“Johnny is an out and out goalscorer as well. We could change our shape a bit.
“I think we need to be versatile. You look at different teams, and you play them different ways.
“And when Johnny comes back and Poppa (captain and centre back Tony Popovic) comes back and (forward) Brendan Santalab – we’ll have a bit more speed because Santa is lighting quick.
“It just gives us different options and we need to play different ways against different opposition.”
Kosmina said it was “fun” to watch Corica, Brosque and Bridge in action against Central Coast.
“It was fantastic, the one touch football we played and little angles and triangles we created in the first half in particular, it was great to watch. It was fun on the sideline to be honest,” he said.
Corica, who continues to show that age and 18 years of senior football have done nothing to weary him after being arguably Sydney best player in the opening two rounds, agreed it was just as fun to play.
The game was obviously less fun for Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna – particularly the end result as Shannon Cole sealed victory for Sydney with an 81st minute free kick just 12 minutes after sky blues midfielder Stuart Musialik was sent off.
“Giving them two easy goals, but then coming back was great,” said McKinna.
“And then to lose it with a free kick like that was hard to take because I thought we were dominating the game at that time.”
After taking just one point from their opening two games, the Mariners – last season’s minor premiers – should be boosted by the return of junior Socceroo Mile Jedinak and striker Dylan McAllister from injury.
They will lose goalkeeper Danny Vukovic for the next five weeks as part of his ban for manhandling the referee in last season’s grand final.
Fallen Socceroo, Manchester United and Chelsea star Mark Bosnich is to play his first professional game in seven years against Queensland Roar next Sunday after signing a seven-week contract with Central Coast.
Koala Bear
Guest
Midfielder, Laddie, We shall not be moved.. :) ~~~~~~~ KB
Midfielder
Roar Guru
KB Somehow the Choppers are playing well and Kossie got them on fire ........... when the salary cap auditors come around it will be interesting with the flying Choppers stripped of all their points. Vicentin don't tell me a poster of your talent can follow the Choppers as well. FM .......look Vic when you get into trouble call KB he will send you some pink or BLUE (get it Blue KB) pills to help when times get low. Meanwhile (the loan ranger disguised as a door had his knob shot off) I have sent in a new thread about Sydney and the Master games if you know what I am talking about then enter a team, ....... KB you will enjoy this thread …. where this will take you I can already see those stirring posts now. But for now Kossie (Mr clean LOL) can be happy thus Obie One is happy. If Obie One is happy after all he has done then that’s OK. KB ……… you heard about the little girl who moved to Sydney. Well it went like this her first day in class co-insided with a new teacher. The new teacher wanting to make an impression on the class said. What football team do we support. A little boy yelled out the The Flying Choppers To which the entire class screamed the Choppers Accept the little girl. The teacher said do you support the Choppers The little girl said no. Who do you support then asked the teacher The Mariners replied the little girl. Why screamed the teacher in awe that someone in Sydney has a brain. My dad supports the Mariners, My Mum supports the Mariners, and I do to. Well said the teacher If your father was drug dealing crook and money shark And you mother was a prostitute who would you support then THE CHOPPERS OF COURSE WAS THE ANSWER Go the Mariners F the Choppers
jimbo
Guest
KB, with a fully fit and not suspended team Captain Kossie will have a good squad to choose from this season. Also very pleasing was the defence - Jacob Timpano is fit and improving and Colossimo had an outstanding game in the centre of the back as a backup for Poppa, who will probably spend most of the season not being fully fit. We'll make those Mariners on the good ship Lollypop, the Mexicans and the other GTS pretenders walk the plank this season!
Koala Bear
Guest
Kossie is now on notice, as this is his team by choice and what a good start he has made .. It looks like a very exciting time for me.. ;) Coria's goal was class and the other two were exceptional .. ~~~~~~~~ KB
jimbo
Guest
Brosque or Bridge will have to go to make room for the Right Aloisi. I'd probably drop Bridge, he seems to be a bit overrated to me after his performances against the Olyroos and in the A-League. Brosque did a lot more work than Bridge against the Mariners and contributed to 2 of the goals. Maybe Captain Kossie will play 3 strikers with Brosque on the left?
Vicentin
Guest
“It was fantastic, the one touch football we played and little angles and triangles we created in the first half in particular, it was great to watch. It was fun on the sideline to be honest,” he said. Let's hope he finds it addictive rather than the kind of dross he served us last season. I hope he doesn't drop any of our more creative players to make room for Aloisi - but (he says with a air of resignation) I'm sure he will.