Sydney FC are good enough to win the AFC Champions League, but to do so they’ll need plenty of things to go their way – including in the A-League.
The Sky Blues’ 4-0 demolition of Melbourne City on Saturday night was as comprehensive as it gets.
It’s a good thing the A-League has a finals series, because with Sydney FC now 12 points ahead of second-placed Newcastle Jets with seven games still to play, the competition would look very boring without it.
In truth, it looks pretty boring right now, although you can hardly fault Graham Arnold’s team for being so much better than their rivals.
They’re playing like Ange Postecoglou’s all-conquering Brisbane Roar outfit of old, and watching Sydney FC scythe down opponent after opponent, you almost wonder if Postecoglou’s team didn’t quite get the credit they deserved.
But if Sydney FC aspire to true greatness – and to match their city rivals Western Sydney – they’ll need to win the AFC Champions League.
What’s that? It’s a preposterous suggestion not even worth discussing? Nonsense.
If Australians are painfully ignorant of the quality of Asian football – and we most certainly are – then the reverse tends to also be true, with critics on the continent routinely dismissing the quality of the A-League.
Want to know what the majority of Asian coaches think of the A-League? Take your pick from any of the following clichés: “it’s physical”, “the players are strong,” “Australians are tough,” etcetera.
Game after game, that’s all you’ll ever hear the majority of coaches in Asia give the A-League credit for, and if Sydney FC are smart enough, they’ll use such a blinkered attitude to their advantage.
It’s probably why Graham Arnold gambled on picking attacking trio Milos Ninkovic, Bobo and Adrian Mierzejewski for his Champions League squad, leaving cult defender Jordy Buijs to concentrate on A-League duties.
But leaving Buijs out is indeed a gamble for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, if the out-of-contract Buijs wasn’t already mulling over a move away from Sydney before the Champions League squad was announced, he probably is now.
Meanwhile, breaking up the central defensive partnership between Buijs and Alex Wilkinson means Sydney FC may need to rely on a youngster like Aaron Calver to contain some of Asia’s most formidable strike forces.
And that could be a problem against international calibre strikers like Dejan Damjanovic, Obafami Martins and Leandro.
Montenegrin goal machine Damjanovic has joined Suwon from bitter K-League rivals FC Seoul, and combined with the fact the Bluewings boast a couple of former A-League players in ex-Sydney FC stalwart Matt Jurman and one-time Newcastle Jets defender Lee Ki-je, they won’t exactly go into Wednesday night’s clash bereft of ideas.
The same could be said of a Melbourne Victory side lumped in the same group as Shanghai SIPG for the second time in three years, although Kevin Muscat looks like he’s got bigger problems to deal with following Friday night’s dreadful 2-1 defeat to Brisbane Roar.
If the Victory defence find Brett Holman and Massimo Maccarone too hot to handle, one wonders how they’ll go containing the likes of Oscar and Hulk.
And Victory’s demanding fan-base is unlikely to tolerate too many more embarrassing defeats, particularly if Sydney FC start making progress in Asia.
There are plenty of things that need to change in the Champions League, from prizemoney to refereeing to the composition of the groups – last year’s champions Urawa Reds can’t even defend their title.
But another thing that needs to change is our approach to the competition.
Sydney FC might need some luck to win the ACL – just ask the Wanderers – but there’s no reason they should fear any of their group stage opponents, particularly if they can successfully juggle the competition with their A-League commitments.
They should go into Wednesday night’s clash with Suwon as favourites.
The Sky Blues are good enough to win the Champions League. Now all they’ve got to do is show it.
Nemesis
Guest
2 days is a long time in football prognosticating. More appropriate columns: Can Sydney FC get a shot on target in AFC Champions League? Can Sydney FC get at least 1 point in AFC Champions League?
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
I don't think so. Often Sydney don't get that much of the possession and generally sit back. Sydney get bruised, but that's not uncommon especially since they play such physical soccer.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Nothings impossible, but I wouldn't bet on them. Having no Bujis in the back is a start. Might be too vulnerable in the defense. Adrian is a bit inconsistent. Bobo either scores a lot, or is the quietest player on the pitch.
Post_hoc
Guest
But RBB you didn't SHOUT it so it's ok LOL
Post_hoc
Guest
Stuart, I personally think you are dreaming if you think big efforts and beautiful play by Sydney FC will have any impact on Australian public. I have very little confidence in the majority of Australians grasping the significance of the ACL. If Sydney FC win it they will get some praise, but they could win the group stages 4-0 in every game and most Australian's wouldn't understand. Hell I have trouble with some so called football fans and their understanding of our game, I made the mistake of reading the Wanderers facebook posts during the Y League grand Final, and the inane comments about how poor these players were, it was painful. I can guarantee many of those commenting had never seen youth level games, the beauty of foxtels sports is that one can watch Chelsea TV etc and they show their academy games, and I have watched a fair few and my thoughts are we have kids that could play in those teams (we just don't have whole teams that could play that way)
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Yeah, I really hate Sydney FC. Deadset...
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I thought I was being realistic. The reality is no team from the A-league will win the ACL for the next 20 years unless we fundamentally change the way we govern football in the country. We need more teams, better development, pro/rel no salary cap etc etc etc.......it's a long list.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
You can have your Roar. In my opinion Sydney FC are the best team that the A-League have ever seen and are dominating the competition with record stats. Ernie Merrick is the best coach the A-League has ever had and he's proved it again this year with the Jets, not your Yoko Joe who once pledged his allegiences to Australia until they didn't pay him enough . . . .
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Here we go with attendances again. Why don't we get the Collingwood AFLW team to play the Bluewings at the new Perth stadiium and get the attendance and ratings up eh. Who gives a ratz about the football . . . .
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Well said Midfielder. Too much negativity around here lately. We all know that it hasn't been the A-League's best year but no need to go on endlessly about it. A lot of goood stuff is going on and people are choosing to ignore it. Sound familiar.
Griffo
Roar Guru
As much as anything it will be interesting to see the refs interpretation of the game should a few 'strong' challenges go in. Also how Arnold approaches away games and changes in play.
Midfielder
Guest
The lack of coverage is amazing at times.
LuckyEddie
Guest
It's pretty meaningless in regards to HAL because 80% do not have FOX and will not see a game.
LuckyEddie
Guest
and refs that penalise and card cynical fouls and do not give SFC a penalty every game.
LuckyEddie
Guest
I'm always amused when people talk about Anges Roar. Simple fact is he had two of the best players ever to play in HAL, Berisha and Broich, at their absolute peak. Interesting that if Broich did not play Anges Roar could not win a game. As for SFC they might find foreign refs will be a wake up to their cynical fouling and they might not get a penalty every game. Of course until we see the opposition who knows if SFC can win it. If the odds are ok i'll be having a few on the Kashima Antlers. Although there is no doubt SFC are a very good team I just wonder why their games are so boring to watch.
Buddy
Guest
Apologies for my poor grammar Mike. I was making a statement about the scheduling by FFA not asking the question. It is about time and proves that it is possible to work with the broadcaster to get a result that is good for everyone. The travel up and down to China, Japan and Korea is a killer in economy class and the players are expected to perform, sleep, wake up and get on a flight home and then back up for a league game and be in good health and spirits. At least when we have been overseas to support the team we take a long weekend, or even a week in Seoul to refresh and not mind too much getting on another 10 hour flight!
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
" . . . watching Sydney FC scythe down opponent after opponent" At first I thought you meant the team is unbeatable like a well oiled machine, but I think you are saying Sydney are a dirty team? Sour grapes maybe? This is a very good team and its not because they hack every one down. They play wonderful attacking football and dominate the midfield. Have you seen the bruises on Ninkovic, Brosque, Adrian and Bobo? At least Arnold is still in Australia and didn't spit the dummy when he didn't get the money he demanded and made up pathetic excuses, like "family reasons." to leave for a bigger pay cheque..
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Yes but WSW have won an Asian Champions league, sorry for that, reflex action.
Nemesis
Guest
Brisbane has only won 2 Premiership titles & 3 Grand Finals Sydney is the same. As we currently stand, after 12 seasons completed, only MVFC has won 3 Premiership titles & 3 Grand Finals.
Michael Mills
Guest
First, a Wanderers fan would never offer that punchline up "softly"! It's got to be a reflex action by now. Second, it's not about who is the greatest team, that's an endless and ultimately subjective debate. This about whether this Sydney team qualifies as great. Mike says that Sydney need to win the ACL to reach "true greatness". By this measure, that Wanderers team is the only 'great' Australian club team. Not Ange's Roar, who "changed the way the game was played in this country".