| SYDNEY F.C. OFFICIAL THREAD |

Sydney FC signs up 5000th season ticket holder - Monday, 17 July, 2006 - 9:38AM As Sydney FC returned to its winning ways in the opening round of the Pre Season Cup, the defending Hyundai A-League Champions also smashed through a significant barrier with the 5000th season ticket holder throwing support behind the club over the weekend. With the target of doubling its membership base all but achieved Sydney FC has now set its target at tripling its numbers, a stunning increase considering the overwhelming success of the debut Hyundai A-League. The success has also been achieved with six weeks remaining until the start of the Hyundai A-League as Sydney FC looks forward to a bumper crowd for the season opener against the Central Coast Mariners in a grand final replay at Aussie Stadium on August 27. Throw in the announcement of two six-figure sponsorships, with more to come, and a rush for corporate suites and boxes for all 10 home games at Aussie Stadium and the signs are positive that the A-League hype will continue in the 2006/07 season. “We continue to take positive steps off the field and we are excited about the support we are obtaining in the public and corporate marketplaces,” said Sydney FC CEO Tim Parker. “To reach 5000 season ticket holders is a great result but we believe we can take the number even higher. “We start the next phase of our advertising and marketing programs today so we are expecting another rush on memberships and season tickets. With six weeks to go before the opening game we are in a good position but we know we still have a lot of work to do.” On the field, Sydney FC also started positively, defeating Queensland Roar 2-1 in wet and slippery conditions on the Gold Coast on Saturday night. Last year’s leading goalscorer Sasho Petrovski and new recruit Alex Brosque found the back of the net in Sydney FC’s first match since winning the 2005/06 Hyundai A-League grand final. Sydney FC plays its first “home” game of the Pre Season Cup on Saturday (July 22) when it takes on the Newcastle United Jets at Canberra Stadium at 2pm.

Sydney FC makes it two from two with 2-1 win Saturday, 22 July, 2006 - 4:01PM Sydney FC made it two wins from two games in the Hyundai A-League with a 2-1 victory over the Newcastle United Jets at Canberra Stadium today. Sydney FC dominated in the first half, scoring two early goals before Newcastle mounted a late comeback in front of 7226 fans in the Nations Capital. Goals to Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Robbie Middleby sent Sydney FC to the top of Group B. Sydney FC lost Captain Mark Rudan to a knee strain on the morning of the match, adding further to the player drain with Ruben Zadkovich, Jacob Timpano and Jeremy Brockie also on the sidelines for varying periods with injury. His place in the squad was taken by 18-year-old defender Wade Oostendorp, who took his place on the bench alongside Sasho Petrovski, David Carney and Justin Pasfield. Coach Terry Butcher was true to his word in rotating the starting line up with Robbie Middleby, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and David Zdrilic coming into the starting side for Carney, Petrovski and Rudan. Topor-Stanley, who spent time playing in Canberra, made an instant impact when he scored inside the first three minutes to put Sydney FC into the lead. Middleby was fouled near the byline and from the resulting free kick, Ufuk Talay found the 21-year-old who powered a header past the stranded Ben Kennedy in goal for Newcastle. Sydney FC dominated proceedings early and could have added to its tally with David Zdrilic coming close on three occasions, thanks largely to Middleby, who was mobile and dangerous on the right flank. It was Middleby himself who added to the tally in the 25th minute when he was gifted a bizarre goal. A Sydney FC corner was cleared to the edge of the penalty area and Middleby lobbed it back towards the six yard box only for Nick Carle to ruct his own goalkeeper and send the ball into the back of the net. Newcastle did create a couple of openings late in the first half with Matt Thompson managing to get the ball past Clint Bolton in the Sydney FC goal only for defender Iain Fyfe to clear the ball off the goal line. Butcher made an unforced change for Sydney FC at half time with Justin Pasfield coming into the match for Bolton. Newcastle replaced Adam D’Apuzzo with Stuart Musialik at the break but the momentum stayed the same in the early stages of the second half with Alex Brosque forcing a good save out of Kennedy in the 54th minute. Sydney FC made a second change in the 67th minute with Sasho Petrovski replacing David Zdrilic. A minute later Newcastle pulled a goal back when an innocuous cross was deflected by Terry McFlynn into the path of Pasfield but the ball found its way under his body for the softest of goals. Although the goal was soft it was deserved by the Jets after fighting their way back into the game in the second half. Sydney FC completed its allowed substitutes in the 76th minute when Wade Oostendorp and David Carney came into the match for Mark Milligan and Alex Brosque. Sydney FC did regain the ascendancy late in the game and should have added to the score when Sasho Petrovski spurned a chance in the final minute. Sydney FC now turns its attention to next weekend’s clash with the New Zealand Knights in Auckland. Sydney FC 2 (Nikolai Topor-Stanley 3, Robbie Middleby 25) d Newcastle Jets 1 (Terry McFlynn og 68) Canberra Stadium Referee: Ben Williams Crowd: 7226 Sydney FC 1. Clint Bolton 2. Iain Fyfe 3. Alvin Ceccoli 6. Ufuk Talay 7. Robbie Middleby 9. David Zdrilic 10. Steve Corica 14. Alex Brosque 15. Terry McFlynn 16. Mark Milligan 21. Nikolai Topor-Stanley Substitutes: 11. Sasho Petrovski on for 9. David Zdrilic (67th minute) 12. David Carney on for Alex Brosque (76th minute) 18. Wade Oostendorp on for Mark Milligan (76th minute) 20. Justin Pasfield (gk) on for 1. Clint Bolton (46th minute) Yellow cards: Steve Corica 90. Newcastle Jets 20. Ben Kennedy 3. Jade North 6. Andrew Durante 8. Matthew Thompson 9. Vaughan Coveny 10. Nick Carle 12. Paul Okon 13. Adam D’Apuzzo 14. Jobe Wheelhouse 16. Labinot Haliti 19. Mark Bridge Substitutes: 11. Tarek Elrich 15. Stuart Musialik on for 13. Adam D’Apuzzo (46th minute) 17. Tolgay Ozbey on for 12. Paul Okon (78th minute) 21. Troy Hearfield on for 6. Andrew Durante (90th minute) Yellow cards: Adam D’Apuzzo 2, Matt Thompson 73.

Butcher believes Sydney FC is on track...

Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher has declared his side is on track for the start of the Hyundai A-League season after watching the defending champions draw 0-0 with a vastly improved New Zealand Knights in Auckland last Saturday.

Butcher has now seen Sydney FC play three matches, including wins over Newcastle and Queensland, and is delighted with the progress the team is making.

Sydney FC takes on Perth Glory in the final group match of the Pre Season Cup on Sunday but Butcher still has one eye firmly on the opening A-League fixture against the Central Coast Mariners at Aussie Stadium on August 27.

“The lads are coming along very well,” Butcher said. “Fitness-wise they are in great shape. We have been finishing games strongly and that is a good sign.

“What we need to work on is our sharpness and ruthlessness. We are doing well in games, playing good football and creating plenty of chances but we aren’t putting them away. It is something we need to improve on but that will come naturally as we get more match-fit and game hardened.

“We went into the Pre Season Cup hoping to win games but our main goal has always been the start of the A-League and that has not changed. I think we are on track for that first game against the Mariners on August 27.”

Butcher did state he was extremely happy with the defence after keeping a clean sheet against a New Zealand side Butcher described as “the best team we have played to date”.

“I thought we defended well against New Zealand,” Butcher said. “I was pleased to keep a clean sheet because that is the base on which you build a season.

“Defensively we were good and Bolton (Sydney FC goalkeeper) had a relatively quiet game. He did have to make a great save at the end and they hit the post but all in all our defence was good.

“They’re (New Zealand) a good side. Definitely the best team we have come up against so to get the result against them away from home, and it is a long trip, was pleasing. Plenty of teams will go there and come back with nothing believe me.”

Yorke to undergo scans on groin injury:

Sydney FC Captain Dwight Yorke is undergoing scans on his left groin after picking up an injury at training this morning.

Yorke, who was due to make his first appearance against Perth Glory on Sunday, will learn the extent of the damage tomorrow afternoon (Friday).

“Dwight has some soreness in his groin. He was assessed by the medical staff and we have decided to get some scans done. We will know the full extent of the damage, if any, tomorrow,” said Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher.

Sydney FC will reveal the full extent of the damage tomorrow afternoon after receiving the results of the scans.

Sydney FC has EIGHT players in Socceroo squad:

Sydney FC has been boosted by the inclusion of a record eight players in the Socceroo squad that will assemble before Australia takes on Kuwait in an Asian Cup qualifier at Aussie Stadium on August 17.

The squad will spend three days in camp in Melbourne next week before coming back to Sydney to take on Kuwait at Aussie Stadium on August 17.

Goalkeeper Clint Bolton, defenders Mark Milligan, Alvin Ceccoli and Iain Fyfe, midfielders Steve Corica, Alex Brosque and David Carney and striker Saso Petrovski have all been named in the 22-man squad under National Team Coach Graham Arnold.

The match will be Australia’s first competitive fixture since the round of 16 match against Italy at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Sydney FC’s eight players is a record number to be selected to represent Australia from the same club team.

For Milligan it is a great opportunity to show his wares after he was part of the Socceroo squad that represented Australia at the 2006 World Cup but the 20-year-old did not get any game time in Germany.

“It is very exciting to be named in this Socceroo squad,” Milligan said. “After my World Cup experience this was one of my main goals to get a spot in the qualifiers for the Asian Cup.

“It was a great experience going over to the World Cup but obviously I have been looking forward to getting more of a run in the senior side and cement a place in the squad.

“I learned so much just being a part of the World Cup and I am looking forward to pushing my case for a place in the team so I can get out there and show everyone what I can do at this level.”

While Milligan did pick up his first Socceroo cap in the international against Lichtenstein in Germany, Ceccoli, Carney and Brosque were all part of the Socceroo team that defeated Bahrain 3-1 in the opening match of the Asian Cup qualifiers in February.

For Corica, who has been capped 40 times at Socceroo level, the call up is a welcome return to the National Team for the first time in four years.

Last year Corica was one of the trailblazers, heading back to Australia for the inaugural season of the Hyundai A-League and scored the winner in the Grand Final as Sydney FC defeated the Central Coast Mariners 1-0.

“It is very exciting to be back in the (Socceroo) squad. It has been three or four years since I played in the National Team,” Corica said. “Obviously missing out on going to the World Cup was a big disappointment, especially after a good year in the A-League but hopefully I might play in the game against Kuwait and go from there. It is good to be back.”

Sydney FC’s eight Socceroo representatives:
Clint Bolton (goalkeeper), 3 caps
Mark Milligan (defender), 1 cap
Alvin Ceccoli (defender), 5 caps
Iain Fyfe (defender), uncapped
Steve Corica (midfielder), 40 caps
Alex Brosque (midfielder), 3 caps
David Carney (midfielder), 1 cap
Saso Petrovski (striker), 1 cap

Petrovski looks forward to "home game" on Sunday:

Wollongong-based Sydney FC striker Saso Petrovski will be using Sunday’s Pre Season Cup clash with Perth Glory at WIN Stadium to further push his claims for a place in the Socceroo team to take on Kuwait on August 16.

Petrovski is one of eight Sydney FC players selected in Graham A.rnold’s Australian squad leading into the Asian Cup clash with Kuwait, along with David Carney, Alvin Ceccoli, Alex Brosque, Clint Bolton, Iain Fyfe, Mark Milligan and Steve Corica.

All eight have a chance to impress Arnold on Sunday before the squad goes into a four day camp in Melbourne next week and the opportunity is not lost on Petrovski.

“Sunday’s game is a good chance for all of us to impress and put our foot forward to be in the squad and the starting side for the Socceroo game,” Petrovski said. “I have a good opportunity and I want to make the most of it.

“Last year I was in the squad but didn’t get onto the field so I want to take the next step and play against Kuwait. The only way for that to happen is for me to play well for Sydney FC on Sunday and then train well in Melbourne.”

Sunday’s game takes on extra significance for Petrovski because, along with fellow Sydney FC players Ceccoli, Justin Pasfield, Ruben Zadkovich and Jacob Timpano, he still resides in Wollongong and is looking forward to playing at his “home ground”, WIN Stadium.

“I’m looking forward to the game at WIN Stadium because it is my home town,” Petrovski said. “It is going to be very special for us Wollongong boys. We all have a lot of friends and family in Wollongong and it will be nice to play in front of them.”

Sydney FC takes on Perth Glory needing a victory to be assured of top place in Group B going into the semi finals. Wins over Newcastle and Queensland was followed by a draw with New Zealand but due to the “bonus point” system in place for this weekend, Sydney FC can’t afford to take its foot off the accelerator.

On top of the three (3) points for a win and one (1) point for a draw, teams this weekend get one (1) extra point for scoring two goals, two (2) extra for scoring three goals and three (3) bonus points for scoring four goals.

The bonus point system rewards teams for attacking play this weekend which means New Zealand, Queensland and Newcastle can still catch Sydney FC but it also plays into the hands of the defending Hyundai A-League Champions, according to coach Terry Butcher.

“The extra (bonus) points suits us because we have a very attacking side,” Butcher said. “We have had no problem scoring goals and with the likes of Alex Brosque, Dwight Yorke, Saso Petrovski, David Carney, Steve Corica and David Zdrilic on our books we have no problems in an attacking sense.

“It does keep it interesting but from our perspective we will be treating it as any other match. If we win the game then we are through to the semi finals on top of the group.”

Sydney FC Squad
The 15-man squad is: Clint Bolton (gk), Iain Fyfe, Alvin Ceccoli, Mark Rudan, Ufuk Talay, Robbie Middleby, David Zdrilic, Steve Corica, Sasho Petrovski, David Carney, Alex Brosque, Terry McFlynn, Mark Milligan, Justin Pasfield (gk) and Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

Injury update
• Dwight Yorke: Sydney FC is awaiting the results of scans undertaken this morning (Friday) on his groin after he felt some soreness at training on Thursday morning. Until the results come back it is unknown how much time, if any, he will miss.
• Jacob Timpano: The Australian Olyroo representative has stepped up his training and is no doing hard running and some ball work. He is still about two weeks away from returning to full training and another two weeks from being fit to play.
• Ruben Zadkovich: Zadkovich underwent an arthroscopic surgery today on his knee and there is no major damage. He will be out of action for approximately four weeks.
• Jeremy Brockie: The Kiwi international has started back full training and could be ready to play in a fortnight.

Close Up with Alex Brosque:

How are you settling in at Sydney?

It's good getting to know all these boys. Obviously it was hard to come to a championship-winning side because they expect big things of me. But personally I think I'm settling in well. When someone new comes to the club, the guys can either be hard on the new boys or they take you in, and these guys have really taken me in well.

Are you feeling the pressure of being a big-name signing?

Not in terms of being a big-name signing but more in terms of coming to a team that did everything last year. In a way there's nothing to improve on, so it can be hard for new players to come into a team like this. But hopefully I can add something new to the team and we can go back-to-back titles.

What were you most impressed about when you joined the club?

I think it really hit me when we started training - the hunger and the desire of all the players. I've never been in a squad that whether you're doing just a passing drill or playing a five-a-side game against each other, they just want to win everything - every game, every challenge. That's what really hit me - the level that these guys are at. I like to think of myself like that as well when it comes to training. I want to win all those little games and not lose at anything. It suits me perfectly.

You've started every game in the Pre-Season Cup and last season's top scorer Sasho Petrovski has been on the bench more often. Is that how you envisioned it?

Not really. I think that's down to the way that we're playing. We're playing a different formation with just the lone striker which (Terry) Butcher has pointed out will be either Sash or Zdrilic. There's that one spot for the both on them, and then we're playing with three players behind. At the moment he's still trying different formations but it's going to be interesting come the first game against the Central Coast to see who actually starts. He's going to keep trying players out through the rest of the pre-season and I'm sure I'll have my time on the bench as well.

Does playing just behind the main striker suit you down to the ground?

Yeah, I think so. Playing behind the striker you haven’t always got a man on you. You're more free to try and find space for yourself and when you get it, I can pretty much turn straight away and I'm running at players. And that's what I like to do. I like be able to turn and face players and go straight at them instead if always having a big guy on my back.

So do you feel that the pressure of scoring has been removed a little this season?

The burden has definitely been lifted off me - well that's the way I feel anyway. I feel as though there isn’t as much pressure. We've got a lot of quality upfront here so if I'm not scoring I'm sure a couple of the other boys will be. The formation that we’ve been playing is very attacking.

But you did score on your competitive debut for Sydney against the Roar!

Yeah. It was good to get one over the Queensland boys! I suffered a bit of stick from the crowd and it was good just to give a little bit back. But I think it's good that it happens. When a player leaves your club, it's good to see the fans are very passionate about the team. It's healthy for the competition and it's great for the players to know that they've got some good support behind them.

That match was also Terry Butcher's first as coach. What are your impressions of him so far?

I think he's a great appointment. He was a real hardman when he played and we've got a lot of hard players. But in saying that, he does like to play a passing game which suits Sydney FC's style. Last year they were a very technical team and outplayed most teams on the park. So as long as we keep the passing and the technical side of it there, he'll definitely help us on the hard side of things. If we're training hard, he tends to open up a little bit and pull out those one-liners and have a bit more of a laugh. But if we're mucking about at training, you definitely see the hard side of him as well.

After the weekend's match against New Zealand, Terry said the Knights were the toughest team he'd faced so far. Have they improved that much from last season do you think?

Yeah definitely. They've got some good skill and pace upfront with (Dani) Rodrigues and I also think (Jonti) Richter going over there was massive for them. But not just upfront, all round the park they're generally pretty solid. They're not going to be walkovers like they were last year. They're going to give everyone a run for their money and could be a surprise this year I think. Last year you probably looked forward to playing against New Zealand more than anyone but it's going to a much tougher competition this time around. New Zealand could even sneak in the top four if they continue with how they're going.

And finally Alex, what about playing again in Europe? Is that something you harbour ambitions to return to?

I look at someone like Archie (Thompson) who was presented with a great deal at a great club. He went over there and had a go at it. Obviously it's unrealistic to think that a massive deal like that is going to come along. For me to leave Australia, it's definitely going to have to be well worth it. I'm happy playing in Australia at the moment. I think the league is growing and will continue to grow and I'm glad I'm a part of it. If you go overseas, it's not an easy road. You have to stick it out for a few years in the lower leagues before you actually make your mark. And then what happens if you don’t? You could be stuck in the lower grade. I'm just happy playing in the A-League at the moment and if I can finish out my career here I'm more than happy.

Brosque double helps Sydney FC sink Perth 3-0

Sydney FC’s Socceroo striker Alex Brosque showed he is going to be a trump card this season as he scored two goals and terrorized the Perth Glory defence in a comprehensive 3-0 victory at WIN Stadium tonight.

Brosque, and his Sydney FC and Socceroo team mate David Carney, were in tremendous form, running at defenders and carving the Glory to pieces to send the defending defending Hyundai A-League champions into the semi finals.

Brosque and Carney have both found good early season form and with Australia due to face Kuwait in 10 days they will also take their games into the international arena.

Sasho Petrovski scored the third goal for Sydney FC after Brosque’s first half double to round out the scoring.

Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher continued to rotate his squad, making three changes from the team that drew 0-0 in Auckland last weekend. Into the starting side came Steve Corica, Petrovski and Nikolai Topor-Stanley with Robbie Middleby and David Zdrilic moving back to the bench.

Jeremy Brockie made an unexpected return from injury and he took a place on the Sydney FC alongside goalkeeper Justin Pasfield.

Butcher also shifted Socceroo Mark Milligan into a holding midfield alongside Terry McFlynn in front of the back four made up of Iain Fyfe, Topor-Stanley, Mark Rudan and Alvin Ceccoli.

Sydney FC dominated the early exchanges and applied plenty of pressure through a series of corners that presented Rudan with two chances inside the opening 15 minutes but Perth ‘keeper Andrew Crews was up to the task on both occasions.

The early pressure reaped a reward in the 26th minute when Brosque opened the scoring and followed it up with a second goal 60 seconds later to make it 2-0.

The first goal was thanks to an exquisite slide rule pass from Carney, which put Brosque on goal and he slid the ball under the body of the advancing Crews to the delight of the healthy crowd of 6634.

The Socceroo striker then doubled the lead with another inch perfect finish after Petrovski squeezed through a pass give Brosque his second one-on-one and he made no mistake.

Sydney FC went to the break leading 2-0 and could easily have added to the score early in the second half with Petrovski, Milligan and Carney all coming close immediately following half time.

The third goal did eventually come via the head of Petrovski and once again it was Carney the provider, beating two players down the left flank before hitting the striker with a pin-point cross.

The victory sent Sydney FC to the top of Group B and after amassing 12 points they will also host the final, should they make it past Adelaide United next weekend, after scoring more points than the winner of Group A – the Central Coast Mariners.

Sydney FC will return to WIN Stadium to play Adelaide United in the Pre Season Cup semi final on Friday night while Newcastle and Central Coast will meet in the other semi final.

The Sydney FC v Adelaide United game kicks off at 7.30pm with tickets available at 9am Tuesday through all Ticketek outlets.

Match details:
Sydney FC (Alex Brosque 26, 27, Saso Petrovski 57) d Perth Glory
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Srebre Delovski
Crowd: 6634

Sydney FC
1. Clint Bolton
2. Iain Fyfe
3. Alvin Ceccoli
4. Mark Rudan
10. Steve Corica
11. Sasho Petrovski
12. David Carney
14. Alex Brosque
15. Terry McFlynn
16. Mark Milligan
21. Nikolai Topor-Stanley

Substitutes:
7. Robbie Middleby on for 14. Alex Brosque (75th minute)
9. David Zdrilic on for 10. Steve Corica (61st minute)
13. Jeremy Brockie on for 11. Sasho Petrovski (82nd minute)
20. Justin Pasfield (gk) did not play

Yellow cards: nil

Perth Glory
30. Andrew Crews
2. Ryan Townsend
3. David Tarka
5. Jamie Harnwell
8. David Micevski
12. Leo Bertos
13. Ante Kovacevic
15. Mark Robertson
16. Adrian Webster
17. Stuart Young
19. Naum Sekulovski

Substitutes:
10. Bobby Despotovski on for 16. Adrian Webster (68th minute)
18. Josip Magdic on for 15. Mark Robertson (68th minute)
40. Andy Petterson (gk) did not play

Yellow cards: Adrian Webster 53

Sydney FC’s Sasho Petrovski scores in Aussie win:

Sydney FC striker Sasho Petrovski scored the game clinching goal that has helped Australia qualify for the 2007 Asian Cup with a 2-0 win over Kuwait in front of 32,000 fans at Aussie Stadium on Wednesday night.

Petrovski came into the game in the 55th minute and sealed the historic victory with a poachers goal in the 85th minute.

Petrovski’s first goal for Australia followed the 76th minute opener from Adelaide United midfielder Travis Dodd, the beneficiary of a delicate cutback from Sydney FC’s David Carney.

Petrovski was one of seven Sydney FC players who tasted game time in the win with Steve Corica, Mark Milligan, David Carney, Alvin Ceccoli and Clint Bolton all making starting appearances in Graham Arnold’s team.

Sydney FC new boy Alex Brosque also came into the game off the bench in what was a special day for the club in front of a massive crowd just 10 days out from the Hyundai A-League opener against the Central Coast Mariners.

Milligan showed his class in the middle of midfield in a Man of the Match performance while Carney and Dodd also stood out for the Socceroos.

Corica worked tirelessly in the centre of midfield alongside Milligan and, along with Melbourne Victory defender Kevin Muscat, added some crucial experience to the young Socceroo team.

Ceccoli also played well while Bolton was strong and forceful in dominating his penalty area, coming off his line several times to thwart dangerous Kuwaiti moves.

The victory was especially sweet for Corica, who earned his 41st cap and his first in four years.

“I am tired but that was pretty special,” Corica said. “It is always an honour to play for your country but to do it at my home stadium in front of my family and friends was great.

“It is an exciting time for football in this country and it was nice to be a part of history with us qualifying for the Asian Cup for the very first time. After the World Cup it was important we kept the momentum going and we managed to do that.”

Yorke and Rudan handed twin captaincy role:

Sydney FC has handed experienced duo Dwight Yorke and Mark Rudan a shared captaincy role with Yorke named Team Captain and Rudan give the job of Club Captain for the 2006/07 Hyundai A-League season.

The appointments were confirmed at the Sydney FC 2006/07 Season Launch, held at Star City last night.

Rudan, a born and bred Sydney boy, will be the official club spokesman while Yorke will lead the team onto Aussie Stadium throughout the season.

The Trinidad & Tobago captain is hopeful he will be able to take his place in the Sydney FC side for Sunday’s opening round clash with the Central Coast Mariners after recovering from a groin tendon injury.

Sydney FC Coach Terry Butcher, who announced the twin roles, said the pair gave the Sydney FC club tremendous ambassadors and also strong role models for the younger players in the side.

“Dwight and Mark offer a lot to this club and the experience they bring is one of the crucial aspects of getting this team to perform to its expectations,” Butcher said. “I have always thought that a football club is only as good as its senior players and in these two (Yorke and Rudan) we have two real pros.

“We have a lot of very talented players who are at the age when they are ready to develop and learn and they can learn a lot from Dwight and Mark.

“Dwight has earned his respect as captain last year and also with what he has achieved in the game but I have been very impressed by Mark since I arrived.

“In Mark and Dwight we have two tremendous ambassadors and role models for Sydney FC and the younger players in the team.”

Team Captain Yorke stated he was anxious to get back onto the field and was still hopeful of being ready to play on Sunday.

“We are all looking forward to Sunday tremendously,” Yorke said. “The first game of any season is special but when you go into the season trying to defend a title there is added excitement.

“I hope I can be part of it but the main goal is to make sure we can perform to our best over the whole season and repeat what we did last year. It is going to be a big season and I am proud to be captain of this team.”

Club Captain Rudan was equally proud: “To be named Club Captain is a tremendous honour,” he said. “I am a Sydney boy and to be playing for a Sydney team in the A-League has been something I will always remember.

“To be named as Club Captain is even better. We have a big year ahead with the A-League and then hopefully the Asian Champions League so it is time to get down to business.”

Sydney FC kicks off its title defence against the Central Coast Mariners at Aussie Stadium on Sunday at 5pm.

Butcher pleased with points:

Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher is delighted to have collected all three points from the Hyundai A-League match with the New Zealand Knights on Thursday night.

Sydney defeated the Knights 1-0 with skipper Mark Rudan scoring the match-winner with a stunning volley in the second half.

"It is a big result for us, because it gives us now a good platform to build on. Three-match unbeaten run, spin that one round it is quite good isn't it when you think about it," Butcher said.

Butcher said that it was a tough ask for his team considering the short turnaround between playing on Sunday afternoon and then flying to Auckland to play on Thursday.

"There was a great deal of pressure and it was a very quick turnaround," he said,

"It was difficult but I am just delighted by the way we responded and the way we got all three points."

Rudan was delighted to have scored the match-winner but he believed the most important factor to come out of the match was they didn't concede at the back.

"I am just happy that we have kept our second clean sheet of the season. That is the most important thing," Rudan said.

Although Butcher was enquiring why he was so far forward, Rudan was stoked with his left-footed volley.

"I must admit that is probably one of the best goals I have ever scored," he said.

After conceding eight goals in their previous two matches, Knights coach Paul Nevin was happier with Thursday's effort.

"I am delighted with the way we have reacted to the poor performances of the last couple of weeks," Nevin said.

Despite the improvement, Nevin said the squad is frustrated that it has failed to at least claim a share of the points.

"I think we did everything to the letter and I think we did enough to come out of the game with at least a point," Nevin said.

"Unfortunately it hasn't gone for us today. As I have said to the players afterwards if you continue to do that and put that in every week it will turn."

Captain Darren Bazeley shared the sentiments expressed by his coach and said that on another day it could have been the Knights celebrating a win.

"It is frustrating that we haven't gone on and got some points out of tonight. It was a great chance for us to take points off the champions from last season. We are very disappointed that we didn't," Bazeley said.

"On another day it could have been us that scored the great goal and Sydney would have come out goalless."

Edmund Capon new Chairman after Bugno resigns - Wednesday, 27 September, 2006
The board of Sydney FC met today to appoint Edmund Capon as its new Chairman following the resignation of Walter Bugno.

Mr Bugno said he had decided to resign to devote himself full-time to his role as Chief Executive Officer of the casino division of Tabcorp.

“It has been an honour to lead Sydney FC during its formative phase but the fact is that it’s become increasingly difficult to combine the two roles,” Bugno said. “In April when I commenced as CEO I indicated that I would “give it a go” to remain with the club.

“They are both very important leadership positions and I found that I could not do justice to both in the long-term and with the club now in a stronger financial position I have decided to step down.

”It’s been a wonderful experience and I will of course continue to support the club in whatever way I can.

“I ask that all supporters get behind the new leadership to ensure that we continue that success and take the club into a bright future,”

Mr Capon said the board had acknowledged Mr Bugno’s role as founding chairman of Sydney FC and respected his decision to commit himself fully to a demanding corporate role.

“Walter has played a pivotal role in building popular support for the club and leading it during a very difficult foundation period,” Mr Capon said. “He will continue to be one of our most prominent supporters.”

Mr Capon said the board had agreed to nominate Mr Bugno as the inaugural “Life Member” of Sydney FC in recognition of his contribution to the club.

The new Chairman is expected to make a further statement about the club in a few weeks.

Edmund Capon, AM, OBE has been director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales since 1978. He became a member of the Order of Australia in 2000, and is a life-long football supporter. He is a founding member of the board of Sydney FC.

bani Carbone single handedly beat Adelaide united game .. scored and set 2 goals up .. they will win the league with him

hmm, how did u noe that? do u live in Aus?