Sydney FC coach Steve Corica has admitted that he could not bring himself to watch Perth Glory pick up the Premiers' Plate last weekend – and that he expects to beat Tony Popovic’s side when they travel to the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium for Thursday night’s clash.
Glory’s hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Newcastle Jets on Sunday – coupled with the Sky Blues’ inability to beat Western Sydney Wanderers the previous evening – saw the Hyundai A-League silverware make its way west for the first time after it had resided in the Harbour City for the past two years.
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“It hurts,” Corica said. “The plan at the start of the year was to win the premiership.
I didn’t watch them pick up the plate – I couldn’t do that. It’s a little bit hard to take sometimes, but congratulations to them.
“But it’s a different game tomorrow and we expect to win.”
Massive meeting with Premiers Perth
Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wanderers in the Sydney Derby has left Corica’s second-placed side glancing anxiously at Melbourne Victory, two points behind them in third, in the rear-view mirror.
Victory travel to Adelaide United on Friday evening hoping to capitalise on any slip-up from their keenest rivals.
MATCH PREVIEW: Sydney FC v Perth Glory
“Every game for us is a must-win game, but this is very important,” Corica said. “It’s massive for our season to now finish second.
“This is the first time we’ve played [Perth] at home. We’ve had two away games in Perth and we’ve won one and lost one, so this is important to us: [we’re] at home, in front of our fans.
“[Perth] are a good team. We’ve got to give them credit, they’ve just won the Premiership and they’ve been the most consistent team all season.”
The news this week that club captain Alex Brosque will be retiring at the end of the current campaign has given the Sky Blues further inspiration for the upcoming Finals Series.
“He’s a legend at the club, he’s done everything for the club – most capped player, most goals scored, most successful captain,” Corica said of his skipper.
“I said to them ‘I’d love to send him off on a winning note’. He deserves it, and I’m sure the boys will do everything they can to send him off on that note.”
Sydney FC host Perth Glory at the Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Thursday evening, kick-off 7.50pm (AEST).
