We've Had It Back To Front: Corica
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday September 8, 2007
SYDNEY playmaker Steve Corica says it will be the responsibility of the entire team - and not just the defence - to take the heat off goalkeeper Matthew Nash when he makes his A-League debut against the Glory in Perth tomorrow.
Asked about the defensive blunders that have marred Sydney's first two games of the season, Corica said the defenders would not have found themselves under so much pressure at times had teammates ahead of them done their jobs properly."It's not just the defence," Corica said before the squad flew out of Sydney for Perth yesterday. "We start from our own front men and go back from there in terms of defence, and we've got to improve all over the field in that area. "We're making silly mistakes in various parts of the field, and if we eliminate those we'll have a good chance to win this game." Nash will replace Clint Bolton, who is on international duty. It will be the first A-League game Bolton has missed for Sydney and comes at a time when Sydney are already under the pump, with just one point from a possible six.Teams across the competition are affected by representative withdrawals this weekend, and Sydney are without four regulars - on top of Brazilian superstar Juninho also being out with a shoulder injury. The resultant reshuffle in the line-up has the potential to lead to further mix-ups at the back, but Sydney coach Branko Culina said Nash should be able to handle the situation.It is not as if Nash is a kid. He is 26 and was regarded as the best goalkeeper in the NSW Premier League when he played for APIA Leichhardt in the season just ended. Culina has advised Nash to ease the pressure on himself by not being backward in coming forward."The only way to get experience is to play," Culina said. "Matthew has been playing for long enough and now he is getting his opportunity in the A-League. He knows what to expect and also what is expected of him. We expect him to get into the game early and make sure he is a part of it. He'll be nervous, but he'll be OK. It's a big ask to come in and make your debut, but he's up to it." Culina said he had told Nash not to talk to the media in the lead-up to the game, explaining: "He needs to focus on his game. I think it's best that he concentrates on that." Injured sweeper and captain Tony Popovic flew out as part of Sydney's 15-man squad and will be given until the last minute to get over a back problem and play.However depleted, Sydney would not be conservative against Perth, Culina said. "All of the clubs have got problems with players out because of rep duty. It's not the best situation for us, but we've got the depth to overcome it. We'll go out with the aim of getting our first three points of the season."
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald