Sydney FC’s highest-paid player will take no part in their Asian Champions League campaign, after marquee Filip Holosko was omitted from the squad.
Holosko and Senegalese defender Jacques Faty are the two foreigners who didn’t make the cut in Graham Arnold’s final 25-man team, with ACL rules allowing for only three non-Asian visa players.
The coach has instead opted to rely on a trio of midfielders in Serbians Milos Ninkovic and Milos Dimitrijevic, and Faty’s cousin Mickael Tavares.
Arnold put Holosko’s exclusion not down to form, rather injury concern – the Slovak winger did not play in the weekend’s 2-1 home loss to Perth due to a hamstring complaint.
“Filip has struggled getting used to the hard pitches in the A-League this season, having come from Europe, and has been nursing a niggling hamstring injury all campaign,” he said.
“After speaking with him, we both felt he would be best served saving himself for the A-League and avoiding the long travel which could put his whole season in jeopardy.”
With six goals from 16 A-League appearances, Holosko’s absence could be a tough prospect for a team struggling in front of goal this season.
The recent addition of David Carney will at least offer another solid option on the right wing.
Arnold insisted Faty was also happy to avoid the long travel in favour of preserving his physical fitness.
“They understand it’s a difficult decision, and one we have made with the ambition of winning both competitions,” he said.
“It’s been explained to them clearly that they aren’t being dropped or disrespected.”
Sydney are about to embark on an arduous and unenviable fortnight featuring five tough yet crucial matches.
Four days after this Saturday night’s Sydney derby, the Sky Blues will travel to Japan for their first group-stage match against J-League heavyweights Urawa Red Diamonds.
Three days after that they head to Melbourne to face Victory, before hosting reigning ACL champions Guangzhou Evergrande and then returning to Melbourne to clash with City.
The gruelling schedule only compounds the pressure on last year’s A-League grand finalists, who have slid to sixth place and are in very real danger of slipping out of finals contention.
February 24
Urawa Red Diamonds v Sydney FC
Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local), 9.30pm (AEDT)
March 2
Sydney FC v Guangzhou Evergrande
Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 8pm (AEDT)
March 16
Pohang Steelers v Sydney FC
Pohang Steelyard, Pohang
Kick-off: 7.30pm (local), 9.30pm (AEDT)
April 5
Sydney FC v Pohang Steelers
Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
April 20
Sydney FC v Urawa Red Diamonds
Allianz Stadium
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
May 3
Guangzhou Evergrande v Sydney FC
Tianhe Stadium
Kick-off: 6.30pm (local), 8.30pm (AEST)
Fadida
Guest
I've been tipping them for failure too. Where's Punter? :)
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
The rules for the Asian Champions League limit non-AFC visa players to 3. Graham Arnold had no choice but to exclude two of Sydney's visa players. He made the right call to leave out Holosko and Faty. Will be a tough group stage for Sydney as all the teams they are playing have quality.
Realfootball
Guest
Doesn't matter. Impossible to imagine that this dire Sydney side will escape the group stage. My tip is for them to miss the 6 too. Wonder if Arnie will keep his job if that happens?
Vic Ram
Guest
100% agree with u, Arnold should have dropped Fatty N Dimi Milos......
Kaks
Roar Guru
His marquee may not be all that, but he sure as hell is better than Simon, Smeltz and Blackwood
Vic Ram
Guest
very well said KAKS
Kaks
Roar Guru
It's happened, he's finally lost the plot! Strange that he included Shmeltz and Simon over Holosko. Even stranger he included Blackwood, a misfiring young striker who cant head a ball to save his life even though he's 6'3" But it's alright, they have the creative genius Carney to provide them with countless goals?
Fadida
Guest
*headline
Franko
Guest
Holosko is an attacking player, something Sydney FC will not be requiring in this ACL campaign.
Fadida
Guest
Cutting the marquee? He might miss the first game but there are 6. Is this Arnold admitting his marquee isn't all dat? Or is it Arnold being conservative (out of character I know), and going for the recycling midfielder Dimitrejvic? There's always the creative and lethal Matt Simon I suppose :)
Fadida
Guest
Surely the redline should have been "Sydney lose excess Fat"
Vic Ram
Guest
what a joke, players like Blackwood, Dimi Milos and Smeltz are in and Filip is omitted............Arnold u will be history at the end of current season.