Can Sydney FC ride the momentum from their memorable derby win on Saturday night into this blockbuster Westfield FFA Cup quarter-final against Gombau's Reds?
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THE LIVE MATCH CENTRE
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7.30pm local (7:30pm AEDT)
Referee: Ben Williams
Tickets: Click here to purchase tickets
TV broadcast: LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 2 and 2HD
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #SYDvADL
Sydney FC squad: 1.Ivan NECEVSKI (GK), 2.Sebastian RYALL, 3.Sasa OGNENOVSKI, 4.Pedj BOJIC, 5.Matthew JURMAN, 6.Nikola PETKOVIC, 7.Corey GAMEIRO, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 11.Bernie IBINI, 12.Hagi GLIGOR, 13.Alex GERSBACH, 14.Alex BROSQUE (c), 16.Christopher NAUMOFF, 17.Terry ANTONIS, 19.Nick CARLE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (GK), 21.Mark JANKO, 22.Ali ABBAS
***two to be omitted***
Adelaide United squad: 1.Eugene GALKOVIC (GK) (c), 2. Michael MARRONE, 3.Nigel BOOGAARD, 4.Dylan McGOWAN, 5.Osama MALIK, 7.Pablo SÁNCHEZ, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Sergio CIRIO, 10.Marcelo CARRUSCA, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Dylan SMITH, 17.Awer MABIL, 18.Jimmy JEGGO, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Fabio FERREIRA
PREVIEW
The Reds have already eliminated two Hyundai A-League clubs on their way to the last eight and won’t fear the trip to Allianz Stadium on Tuesday night.
While both sides have made strong starts to their league campaigns, it will be interesting to see what both coaches do with their teams considering Sydney FC played just three days earlier in the derby. Sydney then head to Brisbane a few days later ahead of a Friday night grudge match with Brisbane Roar.
The Reds have had a four-day break since their last league game and don’t play again till Sunday in the Hyundai A-League.
So the scheduling favours the Reds, no doubt.
Graham Arnold does have options if he freshens up his side following a pulsating – but draining – Sydney derby.
Veteran defender Sasa Ognenovski is unlikely to back-up, while the Sky Blues boss could be tempted to rest the likes of teenager Alex Gersbach, midfielder Milos Dimitrejevic and marquee man Marc Janko.
It means defender Pedj Bojic could be called into the starting side while Arnold will be hopeful Matt Jurman and Shane Smeltz can shrug off injury to play.
Youngster Christopher Naumoff, the hero in the last round against Sydney United 58 with two sublime goals, would love another opportunity to show what he’s got.
Iraqi international Ali Abbas has three Westfield FFA Cup goals to his name in just two games and will be another who could get a start after playing just 10 minutes in the derby.
Adelaide will look to exploit any potential tiredness in the home side by taking the game to the Sky Blues with their slick passing game and heavy pressing.
With Craig Goodwin Cup-tied and unavailable, Fabio Ferreira may get a chance from the start and he has a point to prove to coach Josep Gombau as he attempts to break into the starting side.
Gombau is also likely to tinker with his squad and give a few of his other fringe squad members a chance to impress.
Defender Michael Marrone could all get a chance from the start, while Awer Mabil is back from international duty with the Young Socceroos.
The winner will join the Mariners in the last four. And with the chance of spot in the semi-finals, expect this to be very keenly contested.
