Sydney FC have been impressive in recent years, establishing themselves as the A-League’s dominant club and one of the best in the competition’s history. Will they continue this dominance this season?
They will cruise to the title again because…
They have been so dominant over the past two seasons, so why couldn’t they do it again? Sydney FC from 2016 and onwards have without a doubt been the most consistent team the A-League has ever seen.
They have smashed literally every record and in all honesty have played some spellbinding football.
Sydney FC’s organisation and discipline is second to none. Their defensive record speaks for itself.
They have only conceded 34 goals in 54 games over the past two seasons.
To complement this, their ability to score goals and put a team away is superior to any other A-League side, with 119 goals scored across 54 games.
That is averaging just over two goals per game. If Sydney FC continue breaking records and continue playing the football they have been playing then they will certainly be difficult to beat.
Sydney FC wrapped up the Premiers Plate weeks before the season ended. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Why Sydney FC won’t win the title…
Although over the past two seasons Sydney FC have been the dominant force, there are many reasons why they won’t win the title in season 2018-19. With the loss of Golden Boot Winner Bobô and Johnny Warren Medalist Adrian Mierzejewski, scoring goals could be a huge issue for Sydney FC this season.
Although replacement players will certainly come in, it will be a tough task to replace the pair who shared 40 goals between them.
Earlier this year in March, it was announced that Graham Arnold would take over the reins of coaching the Socceroos from Bert Van Marwijk at the conclusion of the World Cup. Following on from this, Steve Corica was recently announced as the head coach of Sydney FC. Previously working as the assistant coach of Sydney FC, this will certainly prove to be a major test for Corica.
A-League season 2018-19 is really shaping up to be a huge year for football in Australia. From Keisuke Honda to Usain Bolt, this year will hopefully see improved crowd figures.
Will Sydney FC go all the way? They certainly have it in them to do so however it certainly won’t be an easy task.
Sydney FC at a glance over the past two years
130 points from a possible 162 across A-League seasons 16-17 and 17-18
FFA Cup runner up 2016 and FFA Cup winner 2017
A-League grand final winners 16-17
Jp
Guest
It's clear by these comments that people can't get past the fact they don't like Sydney FC and actually look at their achievements based on history. They have back to back premierships - winning the league by large margins both seasons. Won the FFA Cup, made the final in the other, a championship, most goals, least conceded. Stats don't lie, they've been the best team for the last two seasons. Losing in the semi final last season didn't change that. If it did in your eyes there is something wrong with you. Probably won't see these records beaten for a long time.
Nemesis
Guest
Waz, I'm confused. Is your contact on sitting in on meetings with the FFA CEO & Chairman, or the Telstra or FoxSports CEO board meetings? Whilst it would be nice to have full transparency of the contract, I'm not surprised that it's not publicly disclosed. I know the other sporting codes like to boast about their TV deals, but in the corporate world, companies tend to keep details of their major contract confidential. They'll give broad details, which is what the FFA has given us with the Foxsports deal they signed 12 months ago. I doubt any change to the Congress, or Board, will result in more transparency with individual contracts.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
As a long time SFC fan, probably not this season. Losing Matt Simon is too big a loss. Adelaide and Victory look to have recruited well. Jets and Perth will also make the top 4.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Nemesis, Here’s where we need to agree to disagree, because neither of us has anything that can be considered in the public domain or a credible source for this discussion. The guys who told me FoxSports did the deal with Telstra are the guys who attend the CEO/Chairman’s meetings. So I tend to believe them. For the record they didn’t seem upset, just matter of fact. As for your letter from the FFA, I have to be honest and say the FFA is a less than transparent organisation at the best of times so how specific they have been in answering your question is debatable imo. However, let’s agree to disagree but perhaps we can agree on a couple of things - the first is the whole broadcast deal is shrouded in unnecessary secrecy such that you and I could argue all day and be none the wiser. More transparency is required. The second is our football press, the people paid to find this stuff out are pretty useless. Until both of those improve we are left with a “he said, she said” situation which is hardly conducive to a good debate.
Nemesis
Guest
I never said the FFA got 1 cent for it. In fact, I specifically said: "I don’t know if FFA received any up-front fee for these rights, or it’s a profit-sharing scheme, but I do know the FFA sold the rights to Telstra. FoxSports already has full streaming rights. They didn't need to buy rights to stream on 7" screens because they already have the right to stream on any size screens. The rights that Telstra acquired are the specific rights to only stream on maximum 7" screens. These rights were separate to the rights sold to FoxSports.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yes they did. The FFA aren’t misleading you, they did “sell the rights” ... via FoxSports. The FFA gets no additional compensation for the digital rights deal and the terms between FoxSports and Telstra are unknown. You may not like it, but that’s how it is.
At work
Roar Rookie
Punter I’m happy supporting a club that most hate and are bitter towards because it means we’re successful. I’m sure you feel the same.
Nemesis
Guest
No they didn't. I specifically wrote to FFA and asked them about streaming rights and they confirmed they had retained the rights for streaming on devices smaller than 7" screens specifically to sell to a telco. And, the Fin Review had consistently suggested Telstra was the organisation most likely to pick up the rights. The rights were not owned by FoxSports, so FoxSports cannot sell something they did not own. I don't know if FFA received any up-front fee for these rights, or it's a profit-sharing scheme, but I do know the FFA sold the rights to Telstra.
punter
Guest
At work, they say bitterness is a cursed suffered by some. When Roar were winning, I wished SFC would be as successful as Roar, when Victory were winning, I wished Sydney would be as successful as Victory, but when the mighty SFC are winning, some bitters show their colours.
punter
Guest
Can't help it that you call the game & the competition the same.
Waz
Roar Rookie
No it’s not. FoxSports “onsold” the streaming rights to Telstra. The FFA/A League are the beneficiaries of the publicity but commercially the deal sits between Fox and Telstra. This may not be a bad deal mind you, presumably it’s priced into the contract between FFA/Fox.
Nemesis
Guest
The Telstra streaming deal is a deal between the FFA & Telstra. The deal with Telstra is specifically for digital streaming rights for mobile phones & 7" tablets. The FFA has a different deal with FoxSports which allows FoxSports to stream onto any device.
At work
Roar Rookie
Lionhart your argument would then be very flawed and not backed up by any proof to show Sydney benefited anymore from the refs than any other team.
Lionheart
Guest
You could argue they got a bit of help from the refs too, which won't be there if the A League is run independently.
Lionheart
Guest
Do you mean that SFC's success actually improved ratings and attendances?
MQ
Guest
Impressive (the AFL would only have about 720 registered players)
Squizz
Guest
Yes - he is now part of the national set-up.
punter
Guest
I agree, amazing success, where did he go, did he go to the Socceroos with Arnie?
punter
Guest
Exactly right At Work. SFC never got Adrian, Bobo or Ninko till very late into the pre-season, so we have to wait & see who does replace some of the players we have lost.
Squizz
Guest
They have relied on a very strong first 14-15 plus kids. That worked because Andrew Clark kept them on the field. That strategy will not work without Andrew Clark there - not only the best in HAL - the best in Australian sport.