Steve Corica admits Bobo and Adam Le Fondre were supposed to make their debut as a strike duo next week but the Sydney FC coach was left excited by what he saw during the 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.
Bobo and Le Fondre are the Sky Blues’ second and third all-time top goalscorers with 91 A-League goals between them, and the prolific frontmen paired up at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium for the first time since returning to the Harbour City after spells overseas.
English marksman Le Fondre made it through 62 minutes as he builds his match sharpness, while Brazilian poacher Bobo scored the opener in the Big Blue for the third time this season and unexpectedly played 74 minutes as Sydney swept the series for the second consecutive season.
"I was excited but they weren’t supposed to play together," Corica revealed. "Trent Buhagiar was supposed to start, he hurt his groin in the warm-up doing a bit of shooting.
"It was going to be next week that they were going to play together but I thought it was good. I thought they both combined well together for the first time that they played together.
"I’m looking forward to what’s to come from both of them."
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With 23-year-old attacker Buhagiar set for scans on Thursday, Corica admits the situation is "not great for this time of the season".
The Sky Blues coach also has half an eye on Graham Arnold’s upcoming Socceroos squad selection that may impact his plans heading into the Finals Series.
Australia play four FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June, which may mean Corica has to resort to an alternative plan should any of his players receive international call-ups.
"It’s a big concern really. It depends how many go," Corica added. "Our best players out of the finals, that’s not great of course but we’ll probably just have to make sure everyone is ready, get minutes into people’s legs.
"Benny Warland played excellently tonight and Harry [Van Der Saag] came on for Rhyan Grant just in case he goes away.
"Brattan is playing excellent, you never know he might get a call up, we have [Anthony] Caceras to fill in for him if he does go….
"If [Andrew Redmayne] goes as well, we have Tom Heward-Belle, who is coming back from a little injury so he hasn’t played so much, so we’ll try and get him some game time in the NPL – or [Adam] Pavlesic, who has been on the bench the past few weeks whle he’s been out.
"With those players – if they do go, it gives others opportunities. That’s what it’s about. Joel King got his start with us because of Michael Zullo being injured and he hasn’t looked back."
Next fixtures – Matchweek 22
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday, 23 May 2011
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEST
Match Centre
Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United
Sunday, 23 May 2021
Venue: AAMI Park
Kick-off: 6.10pm AEST
Match Centre
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