Sydney FC season 2007-08
Encyclopedia
The 2007–08 season is Sydney FC
's third season of football (soccer)
in Australia
. The club finished seventh in the A-League Pre-season Challenge Cup and competed in the A-League 2007-08
season.
After a disappointing start to the season, the club sacked coach Branko Čulina
in October, and appointed John Kosmina
. The team recovered from its poor start to finish third on the league table, securing a place in the finals series but being eliminated in the semi-final by .
The club represented Australia at the Pan-Pacific Championship
in February 2008, finishing fourth after losing to American MLS
sides Houston Dynamo
and Los Angeles Galaxy
.
Champions, Sydney qualified for the 2007 AFC Champions League
as one of the two teams representing Australia along with 2005-06 League Premiers, . Group matches were played from March to May 2007, during the A-League off-season. Sydney finished second in their group after two wins, three draws and one loss, a point behind Urawa Reds who progressed to the next stage of competition.
to use the Sport and Aquatic Centre as a training base and also establishing an off-field relationship offering educational, corporate and research linkages. As part of preparations, the club staged a training camp on the Sunshine Coast
with a match against a team of local players in the lead up to their opening Pre-season Cup match. Sydney will also play a series of friendly matches against NSW Premier League
and State League
sides, to engage with the Sydney football community. These friendlies and Pre-season Cup matches also provided experience for trialling players Ben Vidaic
, Cameron Watson, Daniel Severino, Robbie Cattanach, Shannon Cole, Chris Nunes, former short-term Sydney player Tolgay Özbey
and goalkeepers Vendram Janjetovic and Matthew Nash
.
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was transferred for A$
125,000 to English Championship side, Sheffield United. The former Sydney player signed a three-year deal with the club which has been reported to earn him around A$1.25 million a year.
New players including former Socceroos regular Tony Popovic
and former LA Galaxy Attacking Midfielder, Michael Enfield
have signed with Sydney for the upcoming season. On 3 August 2007 Brazilian
international Juninho Paulista
, formerly of Celtic
and Middlesbrough
, signed with Sydney FC as their marquee player. Sydney have also announced the signings of youth players Ben Vidaic
and Adam Biddle
.
Former Socceroos Tony Popovic
has been named the new skipper alongside current Socceroos Mark Milligan
as vice-captain for the coming 2007-08 season.
On 15 October 2007 Michael Bridges
was signed on a loan with Sydney FC, until the end of the 2007-08 season of the Hyundai A-League as a replacement for long-term casualty Michael Enfield
, who has been ruled out for several months after sustaining a serious knee injury.
On 22 October 2007, it was announced that Branko Culina
would be sacked from the club following disappointing results. It was announced on 23 October, that former Adelaide United coach John Kosmina
will take the role as the new head coach of Sydney FC.
Kosmina got the side of to a flying start under his tenure, his first match in charge, a clash with then table-topping rivals Central Coast, a thrilling 3-2 victory in front of a crowd of nearly 18,000 at the SFS, a sign of bigger things to come for the Blues. This was followed by an impressive 1-0 away victory over Newcastle Jets; with former England junior Michael Bridges
recording his first goal for Sydney FC. An entertaining 0-0 draw at the Telstra Dome, with rivals Melbourne, followed, with Sydney FC still undefeated under Kosmina.
Sydney FC suffered their first loss under John Kosmina on 15 December losing 4-2 to bottom side Perth Glory. Sydney goals were scored by Steve Corica
and Michael Bridges
.
On 22 December, a crucial match against the Central Coast Mariners resulted in a 5-4 victory in favour of Sydney. The match, held at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
, was described by critics as the best game ever to come from the A-League. The crucial win moved Sydney FC up by 3 points to 4th place on the ladder, overtaking Adelaide United. The win was especially savoured after Sydney were down 2-0 after 15 minutes. The controversial sending-off of Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic in the 16th minute turned the match in favour of Sydney, who scored their 5th goal via an Ufuk Taly penalty with the final kick of the match in stoppage time.
On Friday 28 December 2007, Sydney FC came from behind for the second time in two weeks to defeat a 10-man Adelaide United 3-1 and keep its unbeaten away record intact in front of a record crowd of 25,039 in Adelaide. This result forced Adelaide down to 5th on the ladder. With 3rd place Newcastle Jets unable to secure a victory over Wellington Phoenix in Round 18, Sydney leap-frogged the Jets into 3rd place, with only 3 points behind the tied leaders.
A week later Sydney travelled across the Tasman
to face Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium
. Sydney came out of this match once again victorious winning 2-0 with goals from Northern Ireland superstar Terry McFlynn
and current leading goalscorer for Sydney in 2007/2008 Alex Brosque
. This kept them in 3rd position on the A-League
ladder and in good contention for a finals berth. This win also ensured that the Phoenix would not reach the finals.
As of 30 December 2007 rumours suggesting that Sydney had signed Simon Colosimo
from the Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets striker Mark Bridge
for the 2008/2009 Season. Although these rumours have been proved true, no statements have officially been released as neither player wanted to cause trouble at their present clubs.
On Sunday 13 January 2008 Sydney flew up to Brisbane
to play the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium
. The game finished 0-0, with both sides taking a point. Sydney only needed a draw to secure their place for a 3rd consecutive finals appearance. The draw means that the top 4 teams (Sydney, Queensland Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets) are all on 31 points each, although Queensland are on top due to goal difference. Both teams had excellent chances to open the scoring for their club, but good keeping and failure to capitalise on good opportunities meant that many goals went begging. In the end the 32,000 strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium
went home feeling disappointed that they didn't get their moneys worth for this State of Origin
Match.
The final game of the 2007/2008 regular season saw Sydney's largest crowd of the season, it drew a large crowd of 33,458 people. Sydney needed to win by at least 2 goals, and they got off to a flying start, with Steve Corica
scoring in the 3rd minute. For the rest of the half Melbourne looked shellshocked, and never really recovered from to shock early goal. But they hit back 25 seconds after the break, with Sydney's minds still back in the dressing room, Melbourne midfielder Nick Ward flew down the right wing and took a shot, which ended up rebounding into Sydney defender Mark Milligan
, ending up as an own goal. With 15 minutes left in the game Alex Brosque
scored, making the score 2-1. But 5 Minutes later Danny Allsopp scored for Melbourne, leaving the final score 2-2. Sydney failed to claim the minor premiership which ended up going to the Central Coast Mariners with their 2-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix at Gosford. Sydney will now play Queensland Roar in the Semi-Final which is to be held at the Sydney Football Stadium.
On Friday 26 January Sydney played their first leg home final against the Queensland Roar in front of a crowd of 23,450 at the Sydney Football Stadium. The match which was supposed to be played up at Queensland's home ground Suncorp Stadium
but it was moved to Sydney because of a concert by the '80s band The Police
. Recent matches against the roar, had all be mostly uneventful affairs, including a 0-0 draw a couple of weeks beforehand, and it was the same again. Both sides had few chances during the 1st half, but Queensland's Brazilian import Reinaldo
missed a golden opportunity when he air-swinged a cross in the opening 10 minutes. Sydney's best chance came in the 2nd half when Alex Brosque
made a break, got around defender Andrew Packer
and only had to slot the ball past the keeper but ended up booting the ball over the crossbar, and into the disappointed 'cove' supporters.
Late in the 2nd half Sydney suffered a blow when midfielder Robbie Middleby
was fouled heavily by Roar defender Sasa Ognenovski
and injured his hamstring. Middleby is now expected to miss the next leg up in Brisbane, and possibly the Grand Final. Sydney had to chance to get a double late in the game when Brendon Santalab
and Patrick
missed golden opportunites.
Sydney and Queensland will now play the second leg of the minor semi-final at Suncorp Stadium
on 8 February 2008.
Two weeks later Sydney were up in Brisbane to face off in the second leg of the preliminary final. They had suffered a knock-back the day before they flew up with Marquee player Juninho
ruled out with a knee injury that he picked up in training. Ruben Zadkovich
was announced as his replacement. Sydney started the match well but with lots of poor decisions by referee Mark Shield
including the sending off of Midfielder Robbie Middleby
for a tackle, which did not even deserve a yellow. Queensland scored in the 14th minute through their Brazilian import Reinaldo
and Sydney never looked like coming back after that. Referee Shield made another poor call when Sydney captain Tony Popović
allegedly shoved Roar striker Tahj Minniecon
in the penalty box, and Sasa Ognenovski
converted the penalty past keeper Clint Bolton
. Many Sydney fans were disgusted at the poor display shown by referee Mark Shield, as most games refereed under him have turned out to be fair challenges, and as a result the small Sydney group that had travelled across the border booed him off.
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in a one-off exhibition match at Telstra Stadium on 27 November, including high-profile Galaxy signing David Beckham
. Sydney won the exciting match 5-3, which included a Beckham goal from a free kick.
held in Hawaii
. They placed fourth overall after losing both matches, first to American MLS
champions Houston Dynamo
and then Los Angeles Galaxy
in the third place playoff.
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A-League Regular Season Total: 180,197
A-League Regular Season Average: 16,382
Season Total: 283,942
and Noel Spencer
left for other A-League sides at the end of the Asian Champions League, but defender Nikolas Tsattalios
was rewarded with a longer term contract. New signings from foreign leagues were unveiled in American
Michael Enfield
, Brendon Santalab
and World Cup
Socceroo
Tony Popović
. Popović's expected role in the club was further reinforced by being handed the captaincy for the A-League season. The club also fulfilled their youth player quota, signing Joey
striker Ben Vidaic
and winger Adam Biddle
.
The club also sought to find a new marquee player as they had been unable to land a household-name since the departure of Dwight Yorke
at the start of the previous season. The club unsuccessfully courted a number of high-profile internationals including Philip Cocu, Robbie Fowler
, Hakan Şükür
, Christian Vieri
, Jay-Jay Okocha
and John Aloisi
. On 3 August 2007 Sydney announced, (two days after media reports broke the story) that Brazilian
international Juninho Paulista
will be their marquee player on a one year deal. This came the same time as David Carney
agreed to move to English side Sheffield United following speculation of his departure following the 2007 AFC Asian Cup
. Sydney finalised their squad by signing a second Brazilian in striker Patrick da Silva
.
With the season kicking off, new reserve goalkeeper Ivan Necevski
suffered an injury in training expected to keep him out of action for up to two months. APIA Leichhardt
custodian Matthew Nash
impressed in his preseason trial to earn a short-term contract as cover. As first round matches were underway with Nash on the bench, Sydney agreed terms with veteran John Filan to join the club, having recently returned home after retiring at Wigan
. The short-term agreement fell through less than a week later, Filan citing outside issues.
. Sydney FC retained the established colours in a new design, a sky blue home shirt with navy blue and orange secondary colours, and a white away shirt with sky blue trim.
Sydney also signed new sponsorships with Sydney-based electronics retailer Bing Lee
and electronic brand JVC
. The home strip will feature Bing Lee as the main shirt sponsor with JVC on the shorts, while the away shirt will feature JVC prominently and Bing Lee on the shorts. A second shirt sponsorship was secured with HBA Health Insurance, that will appear on the back of the shirt below the player number.
http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=sydfc_news_item&id=21672
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
's third season of football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The club finished seventh in the A-League Pre-season Challenge Cup and competed in the A-League 2007-08
A-League 2007-08
The A-League 2007-08 season was the third season of the Australian A-League football competition, won by the Newcastle Jets. Football Federation Australia hoped to build on the success of the previous two seasons and on the interest generated by and playing in the 2007 AFC Champions League, and...
season.
After a disappointing start to the season, the club sacked coach Branko Čulina
Branko Culina
Branko Čulina is a football coach and former player. He is currently without a club after being sacked by Newcastle Jets.-Club career:...
in October, and appointed John Kosmina
John Kosmina
Alexander John Kosmina , known as John Kosmina, is a former Australian football player and manager of Polish Australian ethnicity. He was most recently the manager of Sydney FC...
. The team recovered from its poor start to finish third on the league table, securing a place in the finals series but being eliminated in the semi-final by .
The club represented Australia at the Pan-Pacific Championship
Pan-Pacific Championship
The Pan-Pacific Football Championship was an inter-confederation football tournament between teams from A-League , Chinese Super League , J...
in February 2008, finishing fourth after losing to American MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
sides Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
and Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
.
AFC Champions League
As A-League 2005-06A-League 2005-06
The 2005-06 season was the first season of the A-League, a domestic club competition for football in Australia. After over 12 months without a national professional club competition, the first match in the A-League was played on 26 August 2005...
Champions, Sydney qualified for the 2007 AFC Champions League
AFC Champions League 2007
The 2007 AFC Champions League was the 26th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament and the 5th edition under the current AFC Champions League title....
as one of the two teams representing Australia along with 2005-06 League Premiers, . Group matches were played from March to May 2007, during the A-League off-season. Sydney finished second in their group after two wins, three draws and one loss, a point behind Urawa Reds who progressed to the next stage of competition.
Squad preparation
For the new season, Sydney have established an agreement with Macquarie UniversityMacquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
to use the Sport and Aquatic Centre as a training base and also establishing an off-field relationship offering educational, corporate and research linkages. As part of preparations, the club staged a training camp on the Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The Sunshine Coast is an urban area in South East Queensland, north of the state capital of Brisbane on the Pacific Ocean coastline. Although it does not have a central business district, by population it ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia and the third largest in...
with a match against a team of local players in the lead up to their opening Pre-season Cup match. Sydney will also play a series of friendly matches against NSW Premier League
New South Wales Premier League
The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
and State League
New South Wales State League Division One
The New South Wales State League Division One is the third-highest state level men's association football division in New South Wales, Australia. The competition is conducted by Football NSW, the state's governing body....
sides, to engage with the Sydney football community. These friendlies and Pre-season Cup matches also provided experience for trialling players Ben Vidaic
Ben Vidaic
Benjamin Vidaic is an Australian football player. He currently plays with Sydney United FC in the NSW Premier League. He previously played for A-League side Sydney FC. He is of Croat origin, and attended the Trinity Grammar School in Summer Hill where he was Captain of Soccer...
, Cameron Watson, Daniel Severino, Robbie Cattanach, Shannon Cole, Chris Nunes, former short-term Sydney player Tolgay Özbey
Tolgay Ozbey
Tolgay Özbey is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Kingfisher East Bengal.-Biography:Early in his career, Özbey was recognized for his contributions as a Striker with Blacktown City Demons during which he was chosen as the NSW Premier League Player Of The Year in 2006 and won...
and goalkeepers Vendram Janjetovic and Matthew Nash
Matthew Nash
Matthew Nash is an Australian football goalkeeper who currently plays for the Newcastle Jets.-Club career:...
.
Friendly matches
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2007 A-League Pre-season Cup
The Pre-season Cup competition consists of two groups of four teams, each team to play each other once. All teams then progress to a playoff stage with opponents based on group position, followed by finals series to determine the cup winner. Sydney finished the group stage bottom of Group B behind , and . After a loss and a win in the final placings matches, they were ranked seventh.Group Stage
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Group B Table
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Playoffs
----2007-08 Hyundai A-League
On 5 August, David CarneyDavid Carney
David Raymond Carney is an Australian football player who plays left winger for Spanish club AD Alcorcón and as a left-back or left winger for the Australian national team.- Junior career :...
was transferred for A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
125,000 to English Championship side, Sheffield United. The former Sydney player signed a three-year deal with the club which has been reported to earn him around A$1.25 million a year.
New players including former Socceroos regular Tony Popovic
Tony Popovic
Anthony Popovic is a Croatian Australian former football player. He last played for Sydney FC. He is currently the First Team Coach of Crystal Palace. Popovic grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.-Early career:...
and former LA Galaxy Attacking Midfielder, Michael Enfield
Michael Enfield
Michael Enfield is an American soccer player, currently playing for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
have signed with Sydney for the upcoming season. On 3 August 2007 Brazilian
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
international Juninho Paulista
Juninho Paulista
Osvaldo Giroldo Júnior , better known as Juninho Paulista or simply Juninho, is a former Brazilian footballer...
, formerly of Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
, signed with Sydney FC as their marquee player. Sydney have also announced the signings of youth players Ben Vidaic
Ben Vidaic
Benjamin Vidaic is an Australian football player. He currently plays with Sydney United FC in the NSW Premier League. He previously played for A-League side Sydney FC. He is of Croat origin, and attended the Trinity Grammar School in Summer Hill where he was Captain of Soccer...
and Adam Biddle
Adam Biddle (footballer)
Adam Biddle is an Australian football player who plays for Blacktown City Demons.-Club career:...
.
Former Socceroos Tony Popovic
Tony Popovic
Anthony Popovic is a Croatian Australian former football player. He last played for Sydney FC. He is currently the First Team Coach of Crystal Palace. Popovic grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.-Early career:...
has been named the new skipper alongside current Socceroos Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Daniel Milligan is an Australian football player who is currently playing for JEF United Ichihara Chiba. He was also the regular captain of the Australian Under 23 football team and has been capped for the junior Australian National team...
as vice-captain for the coming 2007-08 season.
On 15 October 2007 Michael Bridges
Michael Bridges
Michael Bridges is an English football striker who currently plays for A-League club, Newcastle Jets. Bridge has previously played over 200 Premier League games.-Sunderland:...
was signed on a loan with Sydney FC, until the end of the 2007-08 season of the Hyundai A-League as a replacement for long-term casualty Michael Enfield
Michael Enfield
Michael Enfield is an American soccer player, currently playing for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
, who has been ruled out for several months after sustaining a serious knee injury.
On 22 October 2007, it was announced that Branko Culina
Branko Culina
Branko Čulina is a football coach and former player. He is currently without a club after being sacked by Newcastle Jets.-Club career:...
would be sacked from the club following disappointing results. It was announced on 23 October, that former Adelaide United coach John Kosmina
John Kosmina
Alexander John Kosmina , known as John Kosmina, is a former Australian football player and manager of Polish Australian ethnicity. He was most recently the manager of Sydney FC...
will take the role as the new head coach of Sydney FC.
Kosmina got the side of to a flying start under his tenure, his first match in charge, a clash with then table-topping rivals Central Coast, a thrilling 3-2 victory in front of a crowd of nearly 18,000 at the SFS, a sign of bigger things to come for the Blues. This was followed by an impressive 1-0 away victory over Newcastle Jets; with former England junior Michael Bridges
Michael Bridges
Michael Bridges is an English football striker who currently plays for A-League club, Newcastle Jets. Bridge has previously played over 200 Premier League games.-Sunderland:...
recording his first goal for Sydney FC. An entertaining 0-0 draw at the Telstra Dome, with rivals Melbourne, followed, with Sydney FC still undefeated under Kosmina.
Sydney FC suffered their first loss under John Kosmina on 15 December losing 4-2 to bottom side Perth Glory. Sydney goals were scored by Steve Corica
Steve Corica
Stephen Christopher Corica is a former Australian football player who last played for Australian A-League team Sydney FC. A technically gifted and skillful player playing primarily as an attacking midfielder, he is very versatile, able to play both centrally or out wide, or even pushed up as a...
and Michael Bridges
Michael Bridges
Michael Bridges is an English football striker who currently plays for A-League club, Newcastle Jets. Bridge has previously played over 200 Premier League games.-Sunderland:...
.
On 22 December, a crucial match against the Central Coast Mariners resulted in a 5-4 victory in favour of Sydney. The match, held at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium
Central Coast Stadium, named Bluetongue Stadium due to sponsorship, is a sports venue in Gosford, on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The stadium is home to the Central Coast Mariners Football Club who compete in the A-League...
, was described by critics as the best game ever to come from the A-League. The crucial win moved Sydney FC up by 3 points to 4th place on the ladder, overtaking Adelaide United. The win was especially savoured after Sydney were down 2-0 after 15 minutes. The controversial sending-off of Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic in the 16th minute turned the match in favour of Sydney, who scored their 5th goal via an Ufuk Taly penalty with the final kick of the match in stoppage time.
On Friday 28 December 2007, Sydney FC came from behind for the second time in two weeks to defeat a 10-man Adelaide United 3-1 and keep its unbeaten away record intact in front of a record crowd of 25,039 in Adelaide. This result forced Adelaide down to 5th on the ladder. With 3rd place Newcastle Jets unable to secure a victory over Wellington Phoenix in Round 18, Sydney leap-frogged the Jets into 3rd place, with only 3 points behind the tied leaders.
A week later Sydney travelled across the Tasman
Tasman Sea
The Tasman Sea is the large body of water between Australia and New Zealand, approximately across. It extends 2,800 km from north to south. It is a south-western segment of the South Pacific Ocean. The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first recorded European...
to face Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium
Westpac Stadium
Westpac Stadium, is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. Due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, it is colloquially known as The Cake-Tin to the locals and other New Zealanders...
. Sydney came out of this match once again victorious winning 2-0 with goals from Northern Ireland superstar Terry McFlynn
Terry McFlynn
Terence Martin "Terry" McFlynn is a football player from Swatragh, Northern Ireland. He plays as a central midfielder for the Australian A-League team Sydney FC. He is the current captain.-Club career:...
and current leading goalscorer for Sydney in 2007/2008 Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse...
. This kept them in 3rd position on the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
ladder and in good contention for a finals berth. This win also ensured that the Phoenix would not reach the finals.
As of 30 December 2007 rumours suggesting that Sydney had signed Simon Colosimo
Simon Colosimo
Simon Colosimo is an Australian football player who plays as a central defender for Melbourne Heart. He has represented the Australia national team on over twenty-five occasions.-Club career:...
from the Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets striker Mark Bridge
Mark Bridge
Mark Bridge is an Australian football player. He currently plays as a striker for Australian A-League club Sydney FC.-Newcastle United Jets FC:...
for the 2008/2009 Season. Although these rumours have been proved true, no statements have officially been released as neither player wanted to cause trouble at their present clubs.
On Sunday 13 January 2008 Sydney flew up to Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
to play the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
. The game finished 0-0, with both sides taking a point. Sydney only needed a draw to secure their place for a 3rd consecutive finals appearance. The draw means that the top 4 teams (Sydney, Queensland Roar, Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets) are all on 31 points each, although Queensland are on top due to goal difference. Both teams had excellent chances to open the scoring for their club, but good keeping and failure to capitalise on good opportunities meant that many goals went begging. In the end the 32,000 strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
went home feeling disappointed that they didn't get their moneys worth for this State of Origin
State of Origin
State of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
Match.
The final game of the 2007/2008 regular season saw Sydney's largest crowd of the season, it drew a large crowd of 33,458 people. Sydney needed to win by at least 2 goals, and they got off to a flying start, with Steve Corica
Steve Corica
Stephen Christopher Corica is a former Australian football player who last played for Australian A-League team Sydney FC. A technically gifted and skillful player playing primarily as an attacking midfielder, he is very versatile, able to play both centrally or out wide, or even pushed up as a...
scoring in the 3rd minute. For the rest of the half Melbourne looked shellshocked, and never really recovered from to shock early goal. But they hit back 25 seconds after the break, with Sydney's minds still back in the dressing room, Melbourne midfielder Nick Ward flew down the right wing and took a shot, which ended up rebounding into Sydney defender Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Daniel Milligan is an Australian football player who is currently playing for JEF United Ichihara Chiba. He was also the regular captain of the Australian Under 23 football team and has been capped for the junior Australian National team...
, ending up as an own goal. With 15 minutes left in the game Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse...
scored, making the score 2-1. But 5 Minutes later Danny Allsopp scored for Melbourne, leaving the final score 2-2. Sydney failed to claim the minor premiership which ended up going to the Central Coast Mariners with their 2-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix at Gosford. Sydney will now play Queensland Roar in the Semi-Final which is to be held at the Sydney Football Stadium.
On Friday 26 January Sydney played their first leg home final against the Queensland Roar in front of a crowd of 23,450 at the Sydney Football Stadium. The match which was supposed to be played up at Queensland's home ground Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
but it was moved to Sydney because of a concert by the '80s band The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
. Recent matches against the roar, had all be mostly uneventful affairs, including a 0-0 draw a couple of weeks beforehand, and it was the same again. Both sides had few chances during the 1st half, but Queensland's Brazilian import Reinaldo
Reinaldo Elias da Costa
Reinaldo Elias da Costa , commonly known in Brazil as Reinaldo Mineiro, is a Brazilian Australian football player who currently plays for Al-Ahli Dohain the Qatar Stars League.-Club career:...
missed a golden opportunity when he air-swinged a cross in the opening 10 minutes. Sydney's best chance came in the 2nd half when Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque
Alex Brosque is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse...
made a break, got around defender Andrew Packer
Andrew Packer
Andrew Packer is a former Australian football player who last played for .-Biography:...
and only had to slot the ball past the keeper but ended up booting the ball over the crossbar, and into the disappointed 'cove' supporters.
Late in the 2nd half Sydney suffered a blow when midfielder Robbie Middleby
Robbie Middleby
Robert Middleby is a former Australian football player who is the CEO for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League.-Club career:...
was fouled heavily by Roar defender Sasa Ognenovski
Sasa Ognenovski
Saša Ognenovski is an Australian football player who currently plays as a central defender for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and the Australia national team. Since moving to South Korea, Ognenovski's success has rapidly risen. In 2010, he was named Asian Footballer of the Year, won a position in the...
and injured his hamstring. Middleby is now expected to miss the next leg up in Brisbane, and possibly the Grand Final. Sydney had to chance to get a double late in the game when Brendon Santalab
Brendon Santalab
Brendon Šantalab is an Australian football player, currently playing as striker for Chengdu Blades.-Club career:...
and Patrick
Patrick da Silva
Patrick Roberto Daniel da Silva known simply as Patrick is a Brazilian football striker. Although his surname is da Silva, he wears 'Patrick' on the back of his shirt.-Sydney FC:...
missed golden opportunites.
Sydney and Queensland will now play the second leg of the minor semi-final at Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
on 8 February 2008.
Two weeks later Sydney were up in Brisbane to face off in the second leg of the preliminary final. They had suffered a knock-back the day before they flew up with Marquee player Juninho
Juninho Paulista
Osvaldo Giroldo Júnior , better known as Juninho Paulista or simply Juninho, is a former Brazilian footballer...
ruled out with a knee injury that he picked up in training. Ruben Zadkovich
Ruben Zadkovich
Ruben Zadkovich is an Australian football player who attended Woonona High School in Wollongong NSW and currently plays for the Newcastle United Jets in the Hyundai A-League.-Club career:...
was announced as his replacement. Sydney started the match well but with lots of poor decisions by referee Mark Shield
Mark Shield
Mark Shield is a former Australian Football referee. He most recently refereed in Australia's A-League. He first played soccer for the Innisfail Tigers at the age of six. Not showing much promise as a player, he began refereeing at age 12, and by 16 was officiating adult matches in Townsville...
including the sending off of Midfielder Robbie Middleby
Robbie Middleby
Robert Middleby is a former Australian football player who is the CEO for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League.-Club career:...
for a tackle, which did not even deserve a yellow. Queensland scored in the 14th minute through their Brazilian import Reinaldo
Reinaldo Elias da Costa
Reinaldo Elias da Costa , commonly known in Brazil as Reinaldo Mineiro, is a Brazilian Australian football player who currently plays for Al-Ahli Dohain the Qatar Stars League.-Club career:...
and Sydney never looked like coming back after that. Referee Shield made another poor call when Sydney captain Tony Popović
Tony Popovic
Anthony Popovic is a Croatian Australian former football player. He last played for Sydney FC. He is currently the First Team Coach of Crystal Palace. Popovic grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.-Early career:...
allegedly shoved Roar striker Tahj Minniecon
Tahj Minniecon
Tahj James Rodney Minniecon is an Indigenous Australian football striker who plays for in the A-League. He is known for his speed around the penalty box.-Early life:...
in the penalty box, and Sasa Ognenovski
Sasa Ognenovski
Saša Ognenovski is an Australian football player who currently plays as a central defender for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and the Australia national team. Since moving to South Korea, Ognenovski's success has rapidly risen. In 2010, he was named Asian Footballer of the Year, won a position in the...
converted the penalty past keeper Clint Bolton
Clint Bolton
Clint Brian Bolton is an Australian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Melbourne Heart in the Australian A-League. He was one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the history of the National Soccer League, which preceded the A-League...
. Many Sydney fans were disgusted at the poor display shown by referee Mark Shield, as most games refereed under him have turned out to be fair challenges, and as a result the small Sydney group that had travelled across the border booed him off.
Home-and-Away fixtures
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- Match rescheduled from 1 December 2007 due to unplayable pitch
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League table
Finals
----- Queensland Roar win 2-0 on aggregate
Hyundai Club Challenge
Sydney hosted the Los Angeles GalaxyLos Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
in a one-off exhibition match at Telstra Stadium on 27 November, including high-profile Galaxy signing David Beckham
David Beckham
David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
. Sydney won the exciting match 5-3, which included a Beckham goal from a free kick.
Pan-Pacific Championship
Sydney represented Australia in the inaugural Pan-Pacific ChampionshipPan-Pacific Championship
The Pan-Pacific Football Championship was an inter-confederation football tournament between teams from A-League , Chinese Super League , J...
held in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. They placed fourth overall after losing both matches, first to American MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
champions Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
and then Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
in the third place playoff.
----
Home Attendances
| # | Opponent | Round | Attendance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Coast Mariners | 1 | 18,457 | L 1-0 |
| 2 | Adelaide United | 2 | 14,233 | D 2-2 |
| 3 | Wellington Phoenix | 4 | 11,491 | L 1-2 |
| 4 | Newcastle United Jets Newcastle United Jets Newcastle United Jets Football Club is a professional football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The club competes in the A-League and plays its home games at Ausgrid Stadium . The Jets have won one A-League championship, defeating arch rivals the 1–0 in the 2007–08 Grand Final... |
6 | 13,755 | W 1-0 |
| 5 | Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League.... |
7 | 18,436 | L 0-1 |
| 6 | Adelaide United | 9 | 12,922 | L 0-1 |
| 7 | Central Coast Mariners | 10 | 17,652 | W 3-2 |
| 8 | Queensland Roar | 14 | 16,659 | D 0-0 |
| 9 | Los Angeles Galaxy Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second... |
Exhibition | 80,295 | W 5-3 |
| 10 | Newcastle United Jets Newcastle United Jets Newcastle United Jets Football Club is a professional football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The club competes in the A-League and plays its home games at Ausgrid Stadium . The Jets have won one A-League championship, defeating arch rivals the 1–0 in the 2007–08 Grand Final... |
16 | 10,732 | W 1-0 |
| 11 | Perth Glory | 17 | 12,402 | L 2-4 |
| 12 | Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League.... |
21 | 33,458 | D 2-2 |
| 13 | Queensland Roar | Semi-final | 23,450 | D 0-0 |
A-League Regular Season Total: 180,197
A-League Regular Season Average: 16,382
Season Total: 283,942
Player details
- For current squad details see Sydney FC Current squad
Squad
Players included in a Sydney FC squad in the 2007-08 season:Transfers
With Branko Culina installed at the helm, he sought to reconstruct the Sydney squad which had been plagued by injuries and financial constraints the previous year. Nikolai Topor-StanleyNikolai Topor-Stanley
Nikolai Topor-Stanley is an Australian professional football player who currently plays as a defender for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League.-Club career:...
and Noel Spencer
Noel Spencer
Noel Spencer was an Australian football player.-NSL:Noel played for his hometown of Wollongong from 1996–2000 and was part of Wollongong Wolves championship-winning team of the 1999/2000 season. After the championship win Noel left for Northern Spirit which he played for and later captained until...
left for other A-League sides at the end of the Asian Champions League, but defender Nikolas Tsattalios
Nikolas Tsattalios
Nikolas Constantinos Tsattalios is an Australian football player who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Club career:...
was rewarded with a longer term contract. New signings from foreign leagues were unveiled in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Michael Enfield
Michael Enfield
Michael Enfield is an American soccer player, currently playing for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
, Brendon Santalab
Brendon Santalab
Brendon Šantalab is an Australian football player, currently playing as striker for Chengdu Blades.-Club career:...
and World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
Socceroo
Australia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
Tony Popović
Tony Popovic
Anthony Popovic is a Croatian Australian former football player. He last played for Sydney FC. He is currently the First Team Coach of Crystal Palace. Popovic grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.-Early career:...
. Popović's expected role in the club was further reinforced by being handed the captaincy for the A-League season. The club also fulfilled their youth player quota, signing Joey
Australia national under-17 football team
The Australia national under-17 association football team, more commonly known as the Joeys, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia in international Under 17 or youth football competitions.-FIFA U-17 World Cup:...
striker Ben Vidaic
Ben Vidaic
Benjamin Vidaic is an Australian football player. He currently plays with Sydney United FC in the NSW Premier League. He previously played for A-League side Sydney FC. He is of Croat origin, and attended the Trinity Grammar School in Summer Hill where he was Captain of Soccer...
and winger Adam Biddle
Adam Biddle (footballer)
Adam Biddle is an Australian football player who plays for Blacktown City Demons.-Club career:...
.
The club also sought to find a new marquee player as they had been unable to land a household-name since the departure of Dwight Yorke
Dwight Yorke
Dwight Eversley Yorke is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player. He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland...
at the start of the previous season. The club unsuccessfully courted a number of high-profile internationals including Philip Cocu, Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler
Robert Bernard Fowler is an English footballer who is currently player/manager for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United....
, Hakan Şükür
Hakan Sükür
Hakan Şükür is a retired Turkish footballer who played as a striker. He spent the majority of his professional career with Galatasaray, being a three-time Gol Kralı , representing the club in three different spells and winning a total of 14 major titles.Şükür represented Turkey a...
, Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri
Christian Vieri is a retired Italian footballer who played as a centre forward.Vieri was named in the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé as a part of FIFA's centenary celebrations...
, Jay-Jay Okocha
Jay-Jay Okocha
Augustine Azuka "Jay-Jay" Okocha is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is known for his stepovers, skill, technique, and being 'so good that they named him twice'...
and John Aloisi
John Aloisi
John Aloisi is a retired Australian football player who played as a striker, and the current youth team manager at Melbourne Heart....
. On 3 August 2007 Sydney announced, (two days after media reports broke the story) that Brazilian
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
international Juninho Paulista
Juninho Paulista
Osvaldo Giroldo Júnior , better known as Juninho Paulista or simply Juninho, is a former Brazilian footballer...
will be their marquee player on a one year deal. This came the same time as David Carney
David Carney
David Raymond Carney is an Australian football player who plays left winger for Spanish club AD Alcorcón and as a left-back or left winger for the Australian national team.- Junior career :...
agreed to move to English side Sheffield United following speculation of his departure following the 2007 AFC Asian Cup
2007 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals were held from July 7 to July 29, 2007. For the first time in its history, the competition was co-hosted by four nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The tournament was won by first-time champions Iraq, who defeated Saudi...
. Sydney finalised their squad by signing a second Brazilian in striker Patrick da Silva
Patrick da Silva
Patrick Roberto Daniel da Silva known simply as Patrick is a Brazilian football striker. Although his surname is da Silva, he wears 'Patrick' on the back of his shirt.-Sydney FC:...
.
With the season kicking off, new reserve goalkeeper Ivan Necevski
Ivan Necevski
Ivan Necevski is a football goalkeeper who currently plays in the Australian A-League for Sydney FC.-Club career:...
suffered an injury in training expected to keep him out of action for up to two months. APIA Leichhardt
A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers
APIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club, also known as APIA Tigers and Sydney Tigers, is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1954, known as APIA Leichhardt, by Italian Australians...
custodian Matthew Nash
Matthew Nash
Matthew Nash is an Australian football goalkeeper who currently plays for the Newcastle Jets.-Club career:...
impressed in his preseason trial to earn a short-term contract as cover. As first round matches were underway with Nash on the bench, Sydney agreed terms with veteran John Filan to join the club, having recently returned home after retiring at Wigan
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
. The short-term agreement fell through less than a week later, Filan citing outside issues.
In
| Player | From | League | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Michael EnfieldMichael Enfield Michael Enfield is an American soccer player, currently playing for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:... |
Los Angeles Galaxy Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second... |
Major League Soccer Major League Soccer Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada... |
Free | 7 April 2007 |
 Brendon SantalabBrendon Santalab Brendon Šantalab is an Australian football player, currently playing as striker for Chengdu Blades.-Club career:... |
Újpest FC Újpest FC Újpest Football Club , earlier known as Újpesti TE and Újpesti Dózsa, is a Hungarian football club, based in Újpest, Budapest. The club's colours are purple and white... |
 Borsodi LigaHungarian League The Nemzeti Bajnokság is a Hungarian professional league for association football clubs. The league is currently known as the OTP Bank Liga for sponsorship reasons, and it is the highest level of professional league since its inception in 1901. UEFA currently ranks the league 35th in Europe.Sixteen... |
Free | 22 June 2007 |
| Ivan Necevski Ivan Necevski Ivan Necevski is a football goalkeeper who currently plays in the Australian A-League for Sydney FC.-Club career:... |
Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979... |
NSW Premier League New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League... |
Free | 22 June 2007 |
| Nikolas Tsattalios Nikolas Tsattalios Nikolas Constantinos Tsattalios is an Australian football player who currently plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.-Club career:... |
Sydney FC Sydney FC Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League... (promoted from short-term deal) |
A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
– | 2 July 2007 |
| Tony Popović Tony Popovic Anthony Popovic is a Croatian Australian former football player. He last played for Sydney FC. He is currently the First Team Coach of Crystal Palace. Popovic grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.-Early career:... |
Al-Arabi |  Qatari League |
Free | 11 July 2007 |
| Ben Vidaic Ben Vidaic Benjamin Vidaic is an Australian football player. He currently plays with Sydney United FC in the NSW Premier League. He previously played for A-League side Sydney FC. He is of Croat origin, and attended the Trinity Grammar School in Summer Hill where he was Captain of Soccer... |
Sydney United Sydney United Sydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area... |
NSW Premier League New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League... |
Free | 31 July 2007 |
 Juninho PaulistaJuninho Paulista Osvaldo Giroldo Júnior , better known as Juninho Paulista or simply Juninho, is a former Brazilian footballer... |
Flamengo Clube de Regatas do Flamengo Clube de Regatas do Flamengo , also known as Flamengo and familiarly as Mengão, is a Brazilian sports club based in the Flamengo bairro, Zona Sul, Rio de Janeiro, best known for its professional football team... (free agent) |
Brazilian Série A Campeonato Brasileiro Série A The Campeonato Brasileiro de Clubes da Série A , popularly known as the Brasileirão , is a professional football league at the top of the Brazilian football league system held annually since 1959. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates a system of promotion and relegation with the Série B... |
– | 3 August 2007 |
| Adam Biddle Adam Biddle (footballer) Adam Biddle is an Australian football player who plays for Blacktown City Demons.-Club career:... |
Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979... |
NSW Premier League New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League... |
Free | 6 August 2007 |
| Patrick da Silva Patrick da Silva Patrick Roberto Daniel da Silva known simply as Patrick is a Brazilian football striker. Although his surname is da Silva, he wears 'Patrick' on the back of his shirt.-Sydney FC:... |
Nacional Atlético Clube (SP) | Campeonato Paulista Série A2 Campeonato Paulista Série A2 Campeonato Paulista Série A2 is the second level of the São Paulo state professional football championship, one of the Brazilian state championships. This tournament is played by 20 teams, in which the four best teams are promoted to Série A1 and the four worst teams are relegated to Série... |
Free | 18 August 2007 |
| Brendan Renaud Brendan Renaud Brendan Renaud is an Australian footballer who plays as a left back. He made his debut for Sydney FC coming on in the second half against Adelaide United FC which Sydney won 3-1. He has previously played for Blacktown City, Marconi and Parramatta Power... |
Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979... |
NSW Premier League New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League... |
Free | 12 December 2007 |
Out
| Player | To | League | Fee | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolai Topor-Stanley Nikolai Topor-Stanley Nikolai Topor-Stanley is an Australian professional football player who currently plays as a defender for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League.-Club career:... |
Perth Glory Perth Glory FC Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League... |
A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
– | 24 May 2007 . |
| Justin Pasfield Justin Pasfield Justin Pasfield is an Australian football goalkeeper who currently plays for the Central Coast Mariners.He was part of the Joeys squad for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands, and previously played for Bray Wanderers in the League of Ireland... |
Sydney United Sydney United Sydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area... (released) |
NSW Premier League New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League... |
– | 24 May 2007 |
| Noel Spencer Noel Spencer Noel Spencer was an Australian football player.-NSL:Noel played for his hometown of Wollongong from 1996–2000 and was part of Wollongong Wolves championship-winning team of the 1999/2000 season. After the championship win Noel left for Northern Spirit which he played for and later captained until... |
Newcastle United Jets Newcastle United Jets Newcastle United Jets Football Club is a professional football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. The club competes in the A-League and plays its home games at Ausgrid Stadium . The Jets have won one A-League championship, defeating arch rivals the 1–0 in the 2007–08 Grand Final... |
A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
– | 24 May 2007 |
| Luka Glavas Luka Glavas Luka Glavaš is an Australian football player.-Biography:Luka Glavas is an Australian semi professional football player.Glavaš has previously played for Hurstville Zagreb, Melbourne Knights and Sydney UnitedIn the 2006 NSW Premier League Grand Final against Blacktown City Demons, Glavas scored all... |
Heidelberg United Heidelberg United Heidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia... (released) |
Victorian Premier League Victorian Premier League The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League... |
– | 24 May 2007 |
| Dean Bouzanis Dean Bouzanis Dean Anthony Bouzanis is an Australian football player who currently plays as a goalkeeper for League One side Oldham Athletic on non-contract terms.-Club career:... |
Liverpool FC (loan terminated - delisted) |  Premier League |
– | June 2007 |
| David Carney David Carney David Raymond Carney is an Australian football player who plays left winger for Spanish club AD Alcorcón and as a left-back or left winger for the Australian national team.- Junior career :... |
Sheffield United | Premier League |
A$125,000 | 4 August 2007 |
| Mark Rudan Mark Rudan Mark Rudan is a former Australian football player who last played for Adelaide United in the A-League.-Club career:... |
Avispa Fukuoka Avispa Fukuoka For the record label, see Avispa. is a Japanese professional football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1 having been promoted from J. League Division 2 in the 2010 season. The team is located in Hakata, Fukuoka. "Avispa" means "wasp" in Spanish.-In Fujieda:The club was founded as... |
 J. LeagueJ. League The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese... Div 2 |
A$100,000 | 17 December 2007 |
| Brendan Renaud Brendan Renaud Brendan Renaud is an Australian footballer who plays as a left back. He made his debut for Sydney FC coming on in the second half against Adelaide United FC which Sydney won 3-1. He has previously played for Blacktown City, Marconi and Parramatta Power... |
Retired | – | – | 23 February 2008 |
Short-term signings
| Player | From | Start date | End date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Nash Matthew Nash Matthew Nash is an Australian football goalkeeper who currently plays for the Newcastle Jets.-Club career:... |
APIA Leichhardt A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers APIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club, also known as APIA Tigers and Sydney Tigers, is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1954, known as APIA Leichhardt, by Italian Australians... |
23 August 2007 | 10 October 2007 | Injury cover for Ivan Necevski Ivan Necevski Ivan Necevski is a football goalkeeper who currently plays in the Australian A-League for Sydney FC.-Club career:... |
| 21 December 2007 | 24 December 2007 | Injury cover for Clint Bolton Clint Bolton Clint Brian Bolton is an Australian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Melbourne Heart in the Australian A-League. He was one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the history of the National Soccer League, which preceded the A-League... |
||
 Michael Herbet |
Waverley Old Boys |
6 September 2007 | 12 September 2007 | Cover for Clint Bolton Clint Bolton Clint Brian Bolton is an Australian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Melbourne Heart in the Australian A-League. He was one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the history of the National Soccer League, which preceded the A-League... while on international duty |
| Matthew Jurman Matthew Jurman Matthew Jurman is an football player who currently plays for Brisbane Roar as a centre back, or occasionally as a left back . He graduated from Westfields Sports High School in 2007.-Sydney FC:... |
AIS |
6 September 2007 | 12 September 2007 | Cover for Mark Milligan Mark Milligan Mark Daniel Milligan is an Australian football player who is currently playing for JEF United Ichihara Chiba. He was also the regular captain of the Australian Under 23 football team and has been capped for the junior Australian National team... /Ruben Zadkovich Ruben Zadkovich Ruben Zadkovich is an Australian football player who attended Woonona High School in Wollongong NSW and currently plays for the Newcastle United Jets in the Hyundai A-League.-Club career:... while on international duty |
| Robbie Cattanach |
Manly United FC Manly United FC Manly United Football Club is an Australian football club based in Manly, New South Wales, Australia and plays in the New South Wales Premier League. Their home ground is Cromer Park, located in the Northern Beaches suburb of Dee Why, approximately 10 minutes away from Manly... |
6 September 2007 | 12 September 2007 | Cover for Alex Brosque Alex Brosque Alex Brosque is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse... while on international duty |
 Michael BridgesMichael Bridges Michael Bridges is an English football striker who currently plays for A-League club, Newcastle Jets. Bridge has previously played over 200 Premier League games.-Sunderland:... |
Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... (loan) |
17 October 2007 | 21 January 2008 | Injury cover for Michael Enfield Michael Enfield Michael Enfield is an American soccer player, currently playing for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:... |
| Mark Robertson Mark Robertson Mark Robertson is a former football player who earned one Socceroo caps in 2001.-Club career:... |
FC Sopron |
13 December 2007 | 24 February 2008 | Injury cover for Adam Casey Adam Casey Adam Casey is an Australian professional football player who currently plays for Dandaloo FC in the Illawarra Premier League.-Club career:... |
| Ryan Walsh Ryan Walsh (footballer) Ryan Walsh is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Blacktown City Demons.He was signed to A-League team Sydney FC on a two-month loan from NSW Premier League club, Blacktown City Demons in February 2008. He made his debut for Sydney in their 3-0 loss to Houston Dynamo at the... |
Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City Demons Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979... |
20 February 2008 | 24 February 2008 | Injury cover for Robbie Middleby Robbie Middleby Robert Middleby is a former Australian football player who is the CEO for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League.-Club career:... at Pan-Pacific Championship |
Team kit
For the third A-League season, all clubs released new playing strip supplied by sponsor ReebokReebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
. Sydney FC retained the established colours in a new design, a sky blue home shirt with navy blue and orange secondary colours, and a white away shirt with sky blue trim.
Sydney also signed new sponsorships with Sydney-based electronics retailer Bing Lee
Bing Lee
Bing Lee is an Australian retailing company, a chain of superstores specializing in consumer electronics, computer and telecommunication goods. Bing Lee is the largest privately-held electrical retail business in New South Wales with 41 stores and a turnover of about $490 million...
and electronic brand JVC
JVC
, usually referred to as JVC, is a Japanese international consumer and professional electronics corporation based in Yokohama, Japan which was founded in 1927...
. The home strip will feature Bing Lee as the main shirt sponsor with JVC on the shorts, while the away shirt will feature JVC prominently and Bing Lee on the shorts. A second shirt sponsorship was secured with HBA Health Insurance, that will appear on the back of the shirt below the player number.
Awards
- Sydney FC Players Player Award: Alex Brosque
- SMH Members Player of the Year Award: Steve Corica
- Chairman Award: John Kosmina
- Forward of the Year: Alex Brosque
- Midfielder of the Year: Steve Corica
- Defender of the Year: Tony Popovic
- Young Player of the Year Award: Adam Biddle
- Golden Boot: Alex Brosque
- Fans Goal of the Year Award: Brendon Santalab (Goal v Adelaide United Round 18)
http://www.sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=sydfc_news_item&id=21672