Sydney FC striker Bobo intent on adding to Melbourne Victory’s pain

Sydney FC striker Bobo is keen to inflict more pain on Melbourne Victory.

Sydney FC striker Bobo. Picture: AAP

Two weeks ago, Bobo sent Melbourne Victory packing from Allianz Stadium and the A-League golden boot-winner is itching to inflict yet more pain tomorrow night.

The Sky Blues’ marksman netted his 27th goal of the season to edge Victory 1-0 in the final round of the regular season.

This time, he knows the stakes are so much higher — the difference between the end of Sydney’s season and a step closer to a second-successive title. And while the 33-year-old Brazilian is intent on extending his league-record haul, he said it’s the bigger picture which counts.

“I expect to score more goals but, for now, the most important thing is to win,” Bobo said.

“I need to win more than score goals now.

“But always when you score first, you get more relaxed in the game, so let’s see what happens on Saturday.”

Sydney have statistics firmly on their side heading into this encounter with seven-straight wins since Australia Day 2016. As it happens, Bobo’s arrival at the start of last season has coincided with that extended dominance.

Yet the scorelines — six of those seven results were decided by a single goal — reflect the closeness of the affairs, with last season’s grand final decided on penalties.

“We know every time we play against them, it’s a hard game and we need to prepare for this,” Bobo said.

“We expect a tough game like the other times we play against them.”

Bobo is a near-certainty to stay at Sydney FC next season after triggering a one-year extension on his marquee contract, although that won’t be set in stone until after the final match.

“I want to keep going,” he said. “Still two more games to go and I want to finish with one more trophy.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri heads into tomorrow’s semi-final not knowing whether it will be his last match.

The out-of-contract 33-year-old will defer a decision on his playing future until next month, preferring to focus his energies on lengthening Victory’s campaign into a grand final.

“There’s plenty of time to think about (retirement). In the A-League there’s two months of off-season,” Valeri said yesterday.

“My main focus is getting Melbourne Victory into the grand final.

“My body feels good. Those decisions I’ll make with my family in the time I have off.”

Valeri expects another close contest with the Sky Blues.

“It is going to be a fight. It is going to be a battle,” he said “When I think back (to last year’s grand final) I think of a battle.

“I think of a well-fought battle and the penalty shootout obviously stays in your mind.

“It’s an unfair way to lose but someone’s got to win and someone’s got to lose. I can only commend the boys on the battle we put up that day.

“We’re going to have to do more on Saturday.

“We’re going to grasp (this opportunity) and throw everything we can at it and leave nothing in the tank.”

AAP