Sydney FC desperate for a win over Adelaide United before embarking on AFC Champions League campaign

Before leaving for AFC Champions League duties in Vietnam, Sydney FC must deal with the threat of Adelaide United.

Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre celebrates one of his three goals in his side’s 5-0 thrashing of the Central Coast Mariners. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Sydney FC’s AFC Champions League campaign can wait, with Sky Blues coach Steve Corica rating Tuesday night’s A-League clash against Adelaide United as arguably his side’s most important match of the season.

The Sydneysiders leave on Wednesday morning for their Champions League group campaign in Vietnam.

And while Corica’s men are intent on progressing to the knockout stages of the continental competition, beating the Reds at Jubilee Stadium is their immediate priority.

In the tight battle for spots three to six in the upcoming finals series, fourth-placed Sydney and fifth-placed Adelaide are locked on 31 points.

Despite the Sky Blues having a slightly superior goal difference, the Reds have played one less game.

Sydney has already played more A-League games this season than every other club, barring leaders Melbourne City, meaning a loss on Tuesday night could ultimately have catastrophic consequences for the club’s hopes of finishing in the top six.

“It’s a massive game in the context of where we are on the table,” Corica said.

“We’re on the same points as them and we’ve played one more game than them, so we have to win it.

“That’ll get us three points above them, and with their game in hand, it would be a little buffer for us.

“It’s a crucial game and we’ll be treating it as such.”

Sydney FC’s Adam Le Fondre thanks Sky Blues fans after his weekend hat-trick. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

While Sydney’s form this season has been too inconsistent for Corica’s liking, the Sky Blues’ 5-0 weekend thrashing of the Central Coast Mariners – inspired by an Adam Le Fondre hat-trick – caught the eye of everyone, including Reds coach Carl Veart.

“They’re a quality side – they have been for the last five or six years,” Veart said.

“When everyone writes them off, they seem to get the job done.

“You never can write off a great team, and that’s what they are – a great team.”

Veart’s side also brings winning form into the match after a much-needed 1-0 defeat of Macarthur FC at Coopers Stadium last Friday night.

“We were a lot more patient with the ball … we were aggressive with our defending,” Veart said in explaining his side’s return to form after a run of four matches without a win.

Corica said the fighting attitude of his former Socceroos teammate Veart was evident in the Adelaide team.

“They’re always in the game. They’re always fighting, always working hard for each other – they’re a dangerous team to play against,” Sydney’s coach said of the Reds.

“Carl’s quiet, but he’s fiery. When he was on the pitch, he was a winner and always up for a challenge, so they definitely get that from him.”

Originally published as Sydney FC desperate for a win over Adelaide United before embarking on AFC Champions League campaign