Sydney FC coach Steve Corica to come up against nephew Harry in FFA Cup clash
SOMETIMES football enemies are friends. Sometimes they are family. In Harry Corica’s case, the adversary is Uncle Steve.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SOMETIMES football enemies are friends. Sometimes they are family. In Harry Corica’s case, the adversary is Uncle Steve.
For when the Cairns FC youngster lines up against Sydney FC in Tuesday night’s FFA Cup round-of-16 clash, he’ll face his own flesh and blood in Sky Blues coach Steve Corica.
Corica has been a keen observer of Harry’s budding career, offering advice and setting up club trials, including with Brisbane Roar last year.
A-LEAGUE EXPANSION: Rivals join forces
Harry, the son of Corica’s brother Michael, has followed the former Socceroo’s path through Innisfail United before getting his break in Cairns’ NPL squad this January.
Since then the 17-year-old - the team’s youngest player - has been lively off the bench and started in most preliminary-round FFA Cup ties.
Now he’s set for a spot in the XI at Barlow Park, in what “for sure” will rank as the biggest match of his life.
“That’s the good thing about the FFA Cup, it’s a good way to get your name out there, especially when you are versing a team like Sydney FC,” Harry told the Daily Telegraph.
“And it’s on Fox Sports as well which means quite a lot of people can see it.”
The family banter has also been flying and, while Harry could count on support from his parents and sisters, he wasn’t so sure about his grandparents - Steve’s mum and dad.
Whichever way they swing, Corica senior did hand out some sage advice for his nephew, who can play in both midfield and on the wing.
“He actually said me ‘don’t play holding midfield against us because we’re very good in the midfield’,” Harry said.
“I was like ‘thanks for that’. Hopefully I am out on the wing for that reason.”
That might mean avoiding the likes of Brandon O’Neill and Josh Brillante but the alternative may not be any more straightforward.
“If I’m playing right wing I think I’ll be up against Michael Zullo, who is a very talented player,” he said.
“I’ve thought about how I would get around him, and stuff like that. I’ll definitely be doing a lot of running.”
Get 3 months free Sport HD + Entertainment on a 12 month plan and watch the FFA Cup Round of 16 on FOX SPORTS. T&Cs apply. SIGN UP NOW >