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Sydney FC are at a crossroads of their season heading into Friday night’s A-League clash with Queensland, according to captain Steve Corica.
The pre-season favourites have hit a considerable form slump in the past month, dropping to fifth position after three matches without a win.
Corica admits traditionally-inconsistent Sydney desperately need a win with just nine regular-season games remaining and believes one will be enough to put their campaign back on track.
“It’s a massive game, I think it’s the biggest game for us this season,” Corica said of the Sydney Football Stadium match.
“We know how big it is and hopefully we do play well with our backs against the wall.
“I think one win turns a lot of things around and if you get three wins in a row and you’re right back up there.
“It’s definitely must win for us.”
John Kosmina’s team has been hit hard by injuries and suspensions this season and their woes were compounded this week when in-form midfielder Terry McFlynn (knee) was ruled out for six weeks.
It means Kosmina will hand veteran Dutch winger Bobby Petta his first A-League start in almost a year against the Roar.
Petta, 34, will play on the left side of midfield with Stuart Musialik likely to drop back into the holding role and Mitchell Prentice playing on the right.
Kosmina said the match would be a massive test of character for his charges.
“They’ve had a few little body blows that they’ve had to deal with but like any good fighter, you pick yourself up, get back in and start again, don’t you?” Kosmina said.
“It can wear you down but that’s part of being a professional sportsman.
“You’ve got to be emotionally and mentally resilient as well as physically.
“It’s times like this where you do have your character tested. That’s what we’re looking for from the players.”
Clashes between the two sides have typically been low scoring but Kosmina predicted his side would need several goals to topple the Roar this time.
He said marquee player John Aloisi was working his way back to full fitness and expected to see the best of the Socceroos striker in the coming weeks.
“It’s a matter of Johnny getting some more game time and becoming more match conditioned,” Kosmina said of Aloisi, who has just one goal from 10 appearances this season.
“I think we’ll see incremental improvements in Johnny week by week.”
Third-placed Queensland are boosted by the return of fiery midfielder Danny Tiatto for the match, but both Corica and Kosmina agreed goal-scoring midfielder Charlie Miller posed the biggest threat.
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