2008–09 Sydney FC season

The 2008–09 season is Sydney FC's fourth season of football (soccer) in Australia, and will compete in the 2008–09 A-League season.

Sydney FC
2008–09 season
ChairmanAndrew Kemeny
ManagerJohn Kosmina
A-League5th
A-League Pre-Season Challenge CupGroup stage (3rd)
Top goalscorerAlex Brosque 5 Goals
Highest home attendance18,251 v Central Coast Mariners (Round 10)
Lowest home attendance8,502 v Queensland Roar (Round 13)

2008-09 Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  AUS Clint Bolton
2 DF  AUS Iain Fyfe
3 DF  AUS Nikolas Tsattalios
4 MF  AUS Simon Colosimo
5 MF  AUS Mitchell Prentice
7 DF  AUS Robbie Middleby
8 MF  AUS Stuart Musialik
10 MF  AUS Steve Corica (captain)
11 FW  AUS Brendon Santalab
12 MF  AUS Shannon Cole
14 FW  AUS Alex Brosque
15 MF  NIR Terry McFlynn
16 FW  AUS Chris Payne
17 DF  AUS Jacob Timpano
18 FW  AUS Adam Casey
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW  AUS Mark Bridge
20 GK  AUS Ivan Necevski
21 MF  AUS Adam Biddle
22 MF  USA Michael Enfield
23 FW  AUS John Aloisi
25 MF  AUS Robbie Mileski
27 DF  AUS Matthew Jurman
28 MF  NED Bobby Petta
29 DF  AUS Beau Busch
30 GK  AUS John Filan
31 DF  AUS Anthony Golec
32 MF  AUS Brendan Gan
34 MF  AUS Rhyan Grant
35 FW  AUS Kofi Danning
36 DF  AUS Zachary Cairncross

Pre-season

Sydney commenced pre-season training on 28 April 2008, and have been actively promoting the club to the Sydney community in the lead up to the season.

A number of friendly matches against NSW Premier League opposition are expected to be arranged in May and June.

Sydney played their first pre-season match against NSW Premier League side Blacktown City Demons at Gabbie Stadium which ended in a 0–0 draw. The match was significant in which Michael Enfield played his first game in almost a season, and fellow American Matt Taylor played his first trial game for the club. Sydney lost their 2nd trial match against Sutherland a week later losing 2–1 on artificial turf. Jacob Timpano scored Sydney's goal late in the 1st half. It was his first goal for the club after almost a year and a half on the sidelines through injury. Sydney's 3rd and final Pre-season friendly ended up a 2–0 win over Manly United, with Newly signed 17yr old Chris Payne scoring the double for the Sky Blues against his former club. It is their last Pre-season friendly before starting in the annual pre-season cup which starts later this month.

A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup

Sydney have been drawn into Group B for the A-League Preseason Challenge Cup along with Queensland Roar, Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix.[1]

Fixtures
Sydney FC2–1Queensland Roar
Terry McFlynn  17'
Chris Payne  54'
Mitchell Prentice  59'
Adam Casey  79'
Simon Colosimo  86'		 (Report) Andrew Packer  44'
Sergio van Dijk  49'
Hyuk-Su Seo  57'
Attendance: 4,222
Central Coast Mariners3–0Sydney FC
David D’Apuzzo  32'
Andrew Clark  34'
Brad Porter  43'  70'
Sasho Petrovski  56'  60'
Nik Mrdja  69'		 (Report) Steve Corica  49'
Alex Brosque  63'
Iain Fyfe  68'
Simon Colosimo  74'
Chris Payne  77'
Dez Giraldi  90'
Attendance: 7,107
Referee: Chris Beath
Sydney FC2–3Wellington Phoenix
Alex Brosque  16'  69'
Iain Fyfe  36'
Dez Giraldi  61'
Mitchell Prentice  61'  91'
Ryan Walsh  61'		 (Report) Leo Bertos  24'
Andrew Durante  35'  91'
Troy Hearfield  57'
Shane Smeltz  62' (pen)
Adam Kwasnik  80'
Leilei Gao  82'
Attendance: 6,124

On a freezing cold night at Campbelltown Sydney came victorious against Queensland Roar 2–1. After a scoreless 1st half, Queensland scored first through their new Dutch import, before Sydney hit back minutes later through newly signed 17-year-old Chris Payne, late in the 2nd Half Alex Brosque was fouled near the penalty area and former Perth Glory midfielder Mitchell Prentice took a shot that fired into the top right corner of the net. Sydney next travel up to Gosford To play the Central Coast Mariners.

Sydney played the Mariners up at Bluetongue Stadium on 27 July. Central Coast had recently been in the News with former Socceroos and Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich reportedly signing a 2-year contract. Sydney dominated the first 15 minutes until Brad Porter scored 2 minutes before half time. Sydney had several excellent chances early in the 2nd through Alex Brosque and Terry McFlynn but Bosnich denied any Sydney goal. 2 late goals for Central Coast through former Sydney player Sasho Petrovski and Nik Mrdja. Sydney had a 70th minute Steve Corica penalty stopped by Bosnich. Sydney now will hope to get through to the Pre-Season final with a win over Wellington Phoenix at WIN Stadium next Saturday Night.

Sydney played Wellington at WIN stadium, needing a victory and the Central Coast Mariners beating the Queensland Roar in order to get into the Pre-Season cup final. Sydney started off well with early goals from Alex Brosque and Iain Fyfe both opening up their goal tally's for the season, and Sydney looked to have the game under control by half time. Until 15 minutes into the 2nd half Wellington got a goal back through Troy Hearfield. A last-man sliding tackle by Dez Giraldi earnt Wellington a Penalty, as well as Giraldi's marching orders. The penalty was converted past Sydney's 2nd keeper Ivan Necevski leveling the scores at 2–2. with 9 minutes to go till full-time a defensive mistake cost Sydney the game when Jacob Timpano but a terrible pass-back to Necevski and Wellington's Chinese import Leilei Gao intercepted it, and slotted the ball past a stunned Necevski.
Sydney now go into the start of the 4th A-League season short on players with Alex Brosque, Dez Giraldi, Mitchell Prentice, and Simon Colosimo all out on Suspension, and John Aloisi, Brendon Santalab, and Michael Enfield all injured, as well as Mark Bridge, and Stuart Musialik out on Olyroo duties for the Beijing Olympics.

A-League
Main article: 2008–09 A-League

Sydney will again compete in the A-League competition.[2]

Home-and-Away fixtures

Round 1

Sydney FC0–0Melbourne Victory
Report
Summary
Attendance: 16,227
Referee: Mark Shield

Round 2

Central Coast Mariners2–3Sydney FC
Petrovski  13' (Pen),  67' Report Summary Corica  6',  14'
Musialik  69' 
Cole  81'
Attendance: 10,932
Referee: Ben Williams

Round 3

Sydney FC5–2Perth Glory
Brosque  3'
Corica  21' (Pen)
Bridge  39'
Cole  43'
Topor-Stanley  88' (o.g.)		 Report
Summary		 Dadi  12',  67' (Pen)
Djulbic  20'  20'
Attendance: 11,732
Referee: Peter Green

Round 4

Newcastle Jets0–0Sydney FC
Report
Summary		 Prentice  83'  87'
Attendance: 11,535

Round 5

Sydney FC3–0Adelaide United
McFlynn  2'
Brosque  34'
Santalab  79'		 Report
Summary
Attendance: 12,462
Referee: Ben Williams

Round 6

Wellington Phoenix2–1Sydney FC
Smeltz  42'
Brown  76'		 Report
Summary		 Brosque  20'
Attendance: 6,729
Referee: Chris Beath

Round 7

Sydney FC1–1Queensland Roar
Musialik  90+3' Report
Summary		 Miller  49'
Attendance: 12,403

Round 8

Perth Glory2–1Sydney FC
Harnwell  5',  47' Report
Summary		 Santalab  11'
Fyfe  90+1'
Attendance: 7,759

Round 9

Melbourne Victory0–1Sydney FC
Report
Summary		 Bridge  20'
Attendance: 31,564
Referee: Ben Williams

Round 10

Sydney FC3–3Central Coast Mariners
Bridge  28'
Casey  39'
McFlynn  57'		 Report
Summary		 Simon  63',  81'
Mrdja  78'
Attendance: 18,251

Round 11

Sydney FC1–2Wellington Phoenix
Musialik  77' Report
Summary		 Bertos  34'
Smeltz  89' (Pen)
Attendance: 12,856
Referee: Craig Zetter

Round 12

Adelaide United2–0Sydney FC
Ognenovski  45+2'
T. Dodd  78'		 Report
Summary		 McFlynn  29'  61'
Attendance: 9,509
Referee: Ben Williams

Round 13

Sydney FC1–1Queensland Roar
Corica  64' Report
Summary		 McKay  12'
Attendance: 8,502

Round 14

Newcastle Jets1–2Sydney FC
Wheelhouse  11' Report
Summary		 Fyfe  15'
Gan  78'
Attendance: 7,872

Round 15

Central Coast Mariners2–1Sydney FC
Macallister  11'
Jedinak  90+1' (Pen)		 Report
Summary		 Aloisi  65' (Pen)
Attendance: 11,220
Referee: Peter Green

Round 16

Sydney FC1–4Perth Glory
Musialik  61' Report
Summary		 Pellegrino  11'
Golec  36' (o.g.)
Srhoj  49'
Middleby  69' (o.g.)
Attendance: 12,165
Referee: Ben Williams

Round 17

Melbourne Victory3–2Sydney FC
Thompson  14'
Ward  71'
Ney Fabiano  80'		 Report
Summary		 Cole  1'
Gan  4'
Attendance: 25,398

Round 18

Adelaide United2–0Sydney FC
Cássio  45+1'
Alemão  83'		 Report
Summary		 Jurman  90+3'
Attendance: 23,002
Referee: Chris Beath

Round 19

Sydney FC1–0Wellington Phoenix
Danning  85' Summary Hearfield  64'
Attendance: 9,605
Referee: Ben Williams

Round 20

Queensland Roar3–1Sydney FC
Van Dijk  16',  28',  90+3' Summary Danning  25'
Cairncross 87'
Attendance: 19,111
Referee: Craig Zetter

Round 21

Sydney FC4–0Newcastle Jets
Brosque  13',  41'
Milligan  77' (o.g.)
Bridge  86'		 Report
Summary
Attendance: 9,551
Referee: Kevin Docherty

Player details

Scorers
Total Player Goals per Round
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 101112131415161718192021
5Alex Brosque1112
4Mark Bridge1111
4Steve Corica211
3Shannon Cole111
3Stuart Musialik111
2John Aloisi11
2Kofi Danning11
2Brendan Gan11
2Brendon Santalab11
2Terry McFlynn11
1Adam Casey1
1Iain Fyfe1

A goal was scored from a penalty kick
Two goals were scored from penalty kicks

Transfers

The later parts of the 2007–08 season saw the departure of Mark Rudan to Japanese second division side Avispa Fukuoka and the club released David Zdrilic, Ruben Zadkovich and Patrick da Silva at season's end. Ufuk Talay joined his former teammate Mark Rudan and coach Pierre Littbarski at Avispa Fukuoka the end of the season.

New signings for the 2008–09 season started in earnest in March with the official announcements of Simon Colosimo from Perth, Mark Bridge and Stuart Musialik from Jets and a new marquee player in John Aloisi from the Mariners reportedly with a pay packet of up to A$1.4m a season.[3] With Aloisi joining as the marquee and other signings being under the salary cap, Sydney were unable to retain Brazilian Juninho at the club and he was unceremoniously released during the off-season. Ruben Zadkovich was snatched up by Newcastle but ended up heading over to England on a reported 2-year contract with relegated Premier League team Derby County. Manly United young gun Chris Payne caught Kosmina's eye during a pre-season trial and signed the youngster on a 2-year youth contract. And in mid-July Kosmina signed Wollongong Wolves striker Dez Giraldi on an 8-week loan spell to replace the injured Brendon Santalab.

In
Player From League Fee Date
Simon Colosimo Perth Glory (released) A-League Free 3 March 2008[4]
Mark Bridge Newcastle United Jets FC A-League Free 3 March 2008[5]
John Aloisi Central Coast Mariners A-League Free 3 March 2008[5]
Stuart Musialik Newcastle United Jets A-League Free 11 March 2008[6]
Mitchell Prentice Perth Glory (released) A-League Free 3 May 2008[7]
Chris Payne Manly United NSW Premier League $3000 20 May 2008
Shannon Cole Sydney Olympic NSW Premier League Free 14 August 2008

Out
Player To League Fee Date
Ufuk Talay Avispa Fukuoka J.League 2nd Division Free 12 February 2008[5]
Ruben Zadkovich Derby County (released) Premier League – 3 March 2008[5]
David Zdrilić Released – – 3 March 2008[5]
Patrick da Silva Released – – 3 March 2008[5]
Ben Vidaic Sydney United NSW Premier League Free 18 March 2008[8]
Juninho Paulista Released – – 12 April 2008[9]
Mark Milligan Released – – 28 April 2008

Short-term signings
Player Team Start Date End Date Reason
Matt Taylor Hollywood United F.C. 26 June 2008 3 July 2008 Trial
Dez Giraldi Wollongong FC 25 July 2008 29 September 2008 On loan to replace Injured Brendon Santalab
Ryan Walsh Blacktown City Demons 14 August 2008 21 August 2008 Suspension Replacement
John Filan Wigan Athletic 28 August 2008 1 November 2008 Suspension Replacement
Bobby Petta Para Hills Knights 25 October 2008 On loan to replace Injured Michael Enfield
Beau Busch Manly United 25 October 2008 Suspension Replacement

Loan out
Player Team League Start Date End Date
Adam Biddle Blacktown City Demons NSW Premier League 1 March 2008 26 April 2008[10]
Ivan Necevski Blacktown City Demons NSW Premier League 1 March 2008 26 April 2008[10]
Nikolas Tsattalios Penrith Nepean United NSW Premier League 1 March 2008 26 April 2008[10]
Ben Vidaic Sydney United NSW Premier League 1 March 2008 18 March 2008[10]

References
  1. 2008 Pre-Season Cup Draw Archived 18 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Football Federation Australia, 2 May 2008
  2. Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season Draw Archived 18 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Football Federation Australia, 2 May 2008
  3. Cockerill,M (4 March 2008). "Aloisi is football's gold standard but Sydney play down bling envy". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 March 2008.
  4. Announced 27 January 2008; will join the club for preseason in April; "Sydney FC signs Simon Colosimo to two-year deal". sydneyfc.com. 27 January 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  5. "Sydney FC scores hat trick with Aloisi Bridge and Colosimo". sydneyfc.com. 3 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2008.
  6. "Bling FC attracts Musialik". theworldgame.com.au. 10 March 2008. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  7. "Prentice Cat Out of Sydney Bag". au.fourfourtwo.com. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  8. "Vidaic released by Sydney". FourFourTwo Australia. 18 March 2008. Archived from the original on 28 March 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  9. "Sydney have no room for Juninho". FoxSports Australia. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  10. "Four Sydney FC players to help boost NSW Premier League". sydneyfc.com. 29 February 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2008.
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