Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold says he hasn’t paid too much attention to Newcastle United ahead of the Sky Blues clash with the Magpies in Dunedin tomorrow night (ko. 5.30pm AEST).
Arnold is using the friendly fixture in New Zealand to make sure his own team are on track for a successful Hyundai A-League season and isn’t worried about what Newcastle will throw at them.
“We haven’t analysed Newcastle too much,” he said. “We’ve looked at them, but tomorrow night is all about us.
“I’m new to the job and I’m getting to know the players and getting to see their strengths and weaknesses.
“We’ve been working hard on our structures and tactics so as long as they carry out their instructions that is what is important.”
The match against the English Premier League giants is seen as a prestigious fixture and Arnold believes it’s an opportunity for his players to prove themselves against some of the world’s best.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Sydney FC and our players to be invited to this tournament,” he continued. “It’s a pre-season exhibition game but it’s one which gives the players a great opportunity to impress.”
Centre half and Sydney FC Player Of The Year 2013/14 Nikola Petkovic is happy to be in Dunedin for the game.
“It’s a bit cold but it’s okay, we are prepared for this and we’ve come to play,” he said.
“It’s the first big test for us against a very good team. It’s one of the top teams and I hope we will give our best tomorrow.”
The Sky Blues trained at the Forsyth Barr Stadium this afternoon before goalkeeper Ivan Necevski, defender Matt Jurman and midfielders Peter Triantis and Terry Antonis posed for photos alongside and Newcastle players Jack Colback, Haris Vuckic, Massadio Haidara and recent signing Emmanuel Riviere, at Dunedin’s historic railway station.
The game kicks off at 7.30pm Dunedin time (5.30pm AEST) tomorrow and is live on Main Event.
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