Sydney FC - Adelaide United: Matchday Two Preview

Sunday, 16 August 2009

Sydney FC v Adelaide United

Sydney Football Stadium

Local kick-off 5.00pm

Referee: Matthew Breeze

Sydney FC were most impressive going forward but were lucky to get a 3-2 win over Tropical football debutants North Queensland Fury during matchday one. The second coming of the right Aloisi and the exciting talent of new big thing Kofi Danning electrified the game. The midfield of Karol Kisel and Terry McFlynn and particularly the back line still needs work. Also were to deploy Brendan Gan and Alex Brosque more effectively will be a challenge for Czech coach Vitezslav Lavicka. It was only the second time that new recruits Swiss defender Stephen Keller and Korean left back Sung Hwan Byun played in a back four with Simon Colisomo and Shannon Cole hopefully more time togother will help plug the defensive gaps and keep the

Bling FC players to watch: Right winger Kofi Danning, midfielder Brendan Gan and old timer Steve Corica are my favourites. Watch for John Aloisi to fire. The Socceroo striker is filled with confidence and is very close to shedding last season’s skin. The Adelaide boy could do anything against his home town team.

Adelaide United have won only once in their last seven attempts when playing Sydney FC in Sydney and will hope to ipmprove on that stat. So while Adelaide got a very good result against the Perth Glory last week the loss of Cassio will stretch the Reds depth. The Reds have A-League and Asian Champions League experience and have an ability to wear you down like a mobile phone call centre operator. The pissants have a sold back line and players that can hurt you if you give them space to manoeuvre. I

Pissants to Watch: World Cup hopeful Scott Jamieson, Captain Travis Dodd and Brazilian striker all pose threats to any team on their day. Ex Sydney boys Iain Fyfe and Mark Rudan will be booed.

Key Battles: The home team will attack and the away team will counter-attack said the football expert. I suspect these two teams will produce a great game. Kofi Danning vs Scott Jamieson will be one to watch.The Bling and the Pissants always play exciting games so who the hell knows what will happen when the whistle blows!

A Football Story Prediction: Sydney 2-1 Adelaide 1

Sydney FC: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 3. Stephan KELLER, 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 5. Mitchell PRENTICE, 6. Karol KISEL, 7. Brendan GAN, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. John ALOISI, 10. Steve CORICA (c), 11. Kofi DANNING, 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 17. Matthew JURMAN, 19. Mark BRIDGE , 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 22. Sung Hwan BYUN.*Two to be omitted.

In: 5. Mitchell PRENTICE (promoted), 8. Stuart MUSIALIK (promoted).

Out: N/A.Unavailable: 2. Sebastian RYALL (suspended – 3 weeks)

Adelaide United Squad: 1.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Iain FYFE, 7.Lucas PANTELIS, 9.CRISTIANO, 10.Adam HUGHES, 12.Paul REID, 13.Travis DODD (c), 14.Scott JAMIESON, 15.Francesco MONTEROSSO, 16.Inseob SHIN, 17.Michael MARRONE, 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 23.Joe COSTA, 21.Mark RUDAN, 30.Daniel GODLEY (gk).

*two to be omitted

In: 16.Inseob SHIN (promoted), 20.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) (returns from international duty), 21.Mark RUDAN (promoted)

Out: 6.CASSIO(virus)

Unavailable: Daniel MULLEN (hamstring – 2 weeks), Kristian SARKIES (calf – 2 weeks), Fabian BARBIERO (groin – 2 weeks)

*Head-to-Heads: All matches (played 14): Sydney FC wins 7, Adelaide United wins 5 (2 draws)

In Sydney (played 7): Sydney FC wins 5, Adelaide United wins 1 (1 draw)