Sydney FC coach Frank Farina admits he’s unsure if the Sky Blues can maintain a top six A-League spot, but it appears he’s decided former Socceroo Jason Culina will not play a part in the side’s finals charge.
Culina was a notable absence in the Sky Blues’ 2-1 win over Brisbane at Allianz Stadium on Sunday after being ruled out following his training-ground bust-up with Farina on Friday.
The victory lifted Sydney back into the top six for the first time since round four while Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero became the club’s most prolific scorer – his 11th goal a record haul for a Sydney player in a single season.
Besart Berisha levelled with a first-half penalty but it was young midfielder Peter Triantis who sealed the win, opening his Sky Blues account with his 69th-minute strike.
The victory lifted the Sky Blues into sixth spot while Brisbane dipped to eighth.
Del Piero again proved the difference breaking the deadlock in the seventh minute after masterfully moving past the Roar defence while his classy passing game created chances for Sydney.
But while many thought Culina was the Sky Blues’ missing link, it seems the 32-year-old has played his last game for Sydney after making only eight appearances since signing with the club last October.
The club is set to meet during the week to discuss the matter but asked in an on-field interview after the match if Culina will play again this season Farina responded: “That will be determined next week, but at this stage no.”
Farina was not willing to discuss the issue with reporters in a media conference later.
“I’m not going to talk about that now, this is not the forum,” he said.
“If you want to talk about the game, we’ll talk about the game.
“What happens in our club is our business.”
Farina concedes the club’s inconsistency has been a “roller coaster ride” in the 11 weeks he’s been at the helm.
He says getting three points against his former side on Sunday was crucial but admits maintaining a finals spot will be tough.
“That’s the million dollar question isn’t it,” he said when asked if Sydney can stay in the top six.
“I hope so, put it that way. But next week against Adelaide is a huge game for us as was this one.
“So that was a big three points for us here tonight.”
He praised former Juventus player Del Piero but was far from pleased with Brett Emerton and Ali Abbas whose yellow cards will see them suspended from next weeks’ clash with the Reds.
“He’s a big game player and we certainly need him,” he said of the 38-year-old Italian.
“He’s stepped up at a time when the club has been desperate for his experience and his play.”
Roar coach Mike Mulvey said while his side didn’t have their best day, Del Piero was just too hard to combat.
“You’ve got one world class player out there,” he said.
“He’s a player who makes the difference, he makes things happen.”
Midfielder
Guest
Titus Has a ring of truth to it... without being unkind or over reading ... it's hard to think of a club in recent years where either father and son have left all kisses and cuddles ....
Titus
Guest
It is Qantas.......at the time, no-one took much notice of it, even the provider who was adamant that the source was reliable, conceded that it didn't sound likely. In hindsight though it is clear that Culina wasn't fitting in at the club. Clashing with Farina and possibly Del Piero, unable to play back to back matches but taking offence when the team trains for his possible absense. It's not my source, just something that is interesting in hindsight. Don't think it was a salary cap issue this season but could have been next season considering Carle is expected to return and that Del Piero is reportedly keen for the club to invest in some quality for next season if he is to stay.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
All hear say isn't Titus...? I doubt the source would be a reliable one or do you know something we don't---can you name your source? This could have something to do with the salary cap that's my bet... Pignata would be very concerned about that situation with Joel Griffiths joining SFC..
Titus
Guest
There was a source on the Sydney forums a couple of weeks ago that claimed that ADP had said, either Culina goes or he goes. Culina had also been seen to openly question Farina's authority at matches. If Farina was trialling or cotemplatng playing Reid/Grant/Triantis ahead of Culina, then it points to Culina being squeezed out. I am sorry to see Culina go, I would have liked to see him stay and move into coaching but clearly the situation was untenable. Thankfully Triantis stepped up. I think it is a bit rich of SFC to claim it is about respecting the authority of the coach when clearly ADP is in charge, and to be honest I am glad he is charge because without him we are seriously lacking.
Realfootball
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His attitude is problematic. He could simply have said "that has to stay confidential". Would have achieved the same result without being bellicose and aggressive.
Realfootball
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Perth most likely. Would love him at Brisbane, though.
V bomber
Guest
Agree with your comment. Farina not the answer. The culture of instability, egos and ill discipline will continue under Farina.
MV Dave
Guest
The team that could with him the most...the Jets. Oh wait!
Ballymore
Guest
I'd like to know whether the FF/JC bust up is purely from recent times at Syd FC or if it began in earlier times, either with the Socceroos or perhaps from things been said during the time FF was BR boss and JC was the marquee at GCU. Also, bets on where JC will end up?
pete4
Guest
Culina's contract has been terminated by SFC http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/jason-culinas-contract-at-sydney-fc-terminated-following-training-ground-bust-up-with-frank-farina/story-e6frf4gl-1226575636888#.URicDmdy_7Q
holly
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why did Farina leave Culina out in the first place ? Bizarre decision.
striker
Guest
WSW dont need cullina although he would be a good buy.
vinnie
Guest
WSW will have Culina and Kalac next season
Mahler
Guest
“What happens in our club is our business.' says Frank Farina. Err, Frankie, I don't think so. The thousands of people who pay good money to support the club have every right to know what is going on. The other thousands who support football through cable subscriptions and buying products associated with the game also have every right to know. You can't just put up a smokeswcreen and throw a player of Calina's stature out of the game because he gave you a bit of lip. Let's reveal all.
Titus
Guest
Agree with jb.......without Del Piero Sydney would not have won and the spectacle would have been horrible, even with ADP the first half particularly was some of the worst football I have ever seen. It is hard to understand why the football is so bad for SFC, with Emmo and Culina out next week and McFlynn back I won't be anticipating any scintillating football. The encouraging signs for me were when Antonis and Chianese came on and the game opened up, ADP looked like he had people to work with and make runs and Triantis began to improve with the more open , attacking play. It's hard to bag Powell, he works hard, his touch is decent, but for the 60 mins he was on the field SFC created next to nothing. He isn't making runs for ADP and he isn't working with ball on ground with ADP. Same with Grant, he wins balls and works hard but there isn't room for both him and McFlynn in the team IMO. Fabio and Abbas have regular brain explosions but are both decent footballers and Calvano, Ryall and Griffiths are solid enough at the back now. I would be trying to build Antonis into the Culina replacement, he has the ability but wasted a number of good chances because of inexperience. On second half form, Triantis owns that holding mid position and with Emmo and Joel Griffiths back in two weeks we could be a dark horse.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
The appointment of Farina has been an interesting experiment. On the one hand the team has definitely improved - the team is back in the top six, and if the ladder had been zeroed at the time of his appointment, Sydney FC would actually be up in fourth spot. On the other hand, the team is exhibiting some serious discipline issues. There have been multiple yellow and red cards handed out for dissent - several leading to suspensions. The even bigger problem is that it is senior, experienced players who are leading this problem. Emerton is suspended for the next game, and now we have the Culina situation. Sydney FC has never had a good reputation for stability, and the evidence is that this culture has continued under Farina.
striker
Guest
If Sydney FC dont sign ADP for next season this would be the biggest disgrace in the clubs history and would see the club lose alot of new supporters they have gained since ADP arrival.
j binnie
Guest
This article in an obtuse manner points out a huge problem for both of these clubs,and perhaps the HAL. One is ADP and what will happen should for any reason whatsoever he becomes no longer available to play for Sydney FC.Due to circumstances I only saw the last hour of this game and it was not a classic by any measure,for inside 20 mins I had lost count of the number of "passes" that went astray,and the only man to rise above that anomaly was the 38 year old past master who is making our pack of midfielders all across the league look like "learners" in the profession of football. Roar are a quandry,they continue to try and play a system of football that calls for an extremely high percentage of accurate passing and in this area their mid-field is sadly lacking with the result we see players who have proven track records in a function,(Berisha scoring goals) forced to try and become "Garrinchas" in attempts to get some penetration.Berisha is no Garrincha but his attempts show up the sad lack of creativity in the engine room of the team that should be creating opportunities for him to do what he does well. This fall from grace for Roar is a tragedy for they were within a smidgin of becoming an icon in Brisbane ,and yet due to a lack of foresight they are now struggling to stay out of the basement of the league.To listen to the endless remarks about what will happen if and when they "get it together again" is to hear hope being expressed but very little substance to show they can do that. Both these teams by now should be top of the tree with others chasing them,for they have had 8 years to get it right. This game,to the shrewd observer,pointed out this is not so. Pity. jb