The inaugural champions of the Hyundai A-League and the original Sydney club, the Sky Blues have consistently attracted some of the biggest talents the competition has seen. Dual-champions, and premiers in the 2009-2010 season, Sydney FC have struggled over the past few seasons to recreate their early-existence glory, but look certain to return to the pinnacle of Australian football under the guidance of Graham Arnold.
In recognition of the club’s 10 year anniversary, O90 Sydney FC club correspondent Benjamin Tosi formulates their team of the decade:
Goalkeeper: Clint Bolton
Born out of the legend of the old NSL (National Soccer League) Clint Bolton was immediately recruited by the newly-founded Sydney FC for the inaugural A-League season. A steely character, Bolton patrolled his box well and proved a mainstay in the first campaign, playing in each of Sydney FC’s 24 matches and helping them to their first A-League title. Consequently he was voted as the club’s Player of the Year and the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year. The iconic shot-stopper went on to appear 110 times for the Sky Blues over a lengthy five year period before joining the Melbourne Heart.
Right-fullback: Sebastian Ryall
One of the current crop, 25-year-old Sebastian Ryall slots in at right-fullback. Since signing with the Sky Blues from bitter rivals Melbourne Victory, Ryall has proved his allegiance to Sydney in over 120 appearances, making him the second most capped player in their history. The former-Olyroo is certainly willing to make a tackle and has often been deployed at centre-back when needed throughout his six years at the club. The AIS product has also been amongst the goals, registering nine throughout his stint at the club and recently devoted his immediate future to Sydney, signing a contract extension that will keep him under the watchful eye of the Cove until 2017.
Right-centre-back: Mark Rudan
Another foundation member, Mark Rudan was recruited in the centre of defence and handed a leadership role immediately along with marquee, Dwight Yorke. The former Sydney United cult-hero was instrumental in the team’s first season success. I was in the stadium when, playing against the in-form premiers Adelaide United in the semi-final, Rudan scored at the back post eliminating the Reds and granting Sydney FC a grand final berth. Rudan went on to captain the side full-time during the 2006-2007 season – a three year stint with the club culminating in 61 appearances and six goals.
Left-centre-back: Tony Popovic
One of our ‘golden generation’ of Socceroos, Tony Popovic’s lone season in the A-League was a deserved welcome home after a lengthy stay in England with Crystal Palace, and a short stopover with Qatari side Al-Arabi. Signing on in 2007, he was immediately instated as club captain by then coach, Branko Culina and along with Rudan commanded Sydney’s back four – a formidable partnership made in the city’s south west with Croatian club, Sydney United. Popovic would also later guide the Sly Blues in roles as an assistant and even caretaker coach. In an ironic twist of events, he is now public enemy number one for many Sydney fans, as he manages cross-town rivals, the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Left-fullback: David Carney
Who could forget the marauding runs? Inch perfect crosses? Timely goals? After having to trial for his place in the side under Pierre Littbarski, David Carney showed the qualities that had seen him forge a career overseas. The Sydney-born Carney made 24 appearances for the Sky Blues in their inaugural season scoring six goals and grabbing an additional five assists – a tidy return for a left-back. Carney re-signed with the Sky Blues the next season, but a shoulder injury deprived him of the early rounds. It was his tremendous form for Sydney FC that saw him receive a national team call-up.
Central-Defensive-Midfield: Ufuk Talay
A name not all fans of the A-League may be familiar with, but long-term Sky Blues fans certainly are. The gifted Australian midfielder signed a three-year contract with the club upon its creation, making 59 appearances and scoring six goals, many of which came from the penalty spot. Renowned for his long passing and vision – Talay sat in front of a back four and distributed from deep. Perhaps the greatest compliment he was given was by Socceroo Josip Skoko, who described Talay as “the best to never represent Australia.”
Central-Midfield: Steve Corica
A well-travelled career saw Steve Corica return home after 10 years playing abroad with the likes of Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The midfielder was gifted with great technical ability and created chance after chance in each Sky Blue side he played in. Making over 100 appearances for Sydney, the most important of Corica’s 23 goals came in the final of the 2005/2006 finals series when Dwight Yorke squared the ball to the top of the box to see Corica roll it home coolly. Spending five years as a player at the club – Corica then moved into management and nowadays can be found bearing the brunt of Arnie’s frustrations as assistant coach.
Central-Midfield: Milos Dimitrejivic
Beating the likes of Mark Milligan and Terry McFlynn to the final spot in a three-man midfield is Milos Dimitrejivic. The Serbian-born star was a peripheral figure for the Sky Blues after signing in January of 2014, but once regaining fitness has starred in the current campaign. Arguably the most technically gifted player in this squad, alongside Del Piero, Dimitrejivic’s tight ball control is complimented by an incredibly range of passing. His consistency over the current campaign has led to calls for him to be awarded the Johnny Warren Medal and I for one, believe he is most deserved.
Central-Attacking-Midfield: Alessandro Del Piero
It was inevitable. Alessandro Del Piero brought with him an entire new audience to the A-League. Italy’s favourite son and the only World Cup winner in the team had previously made his name during a nine year spell at Turin giants, Juventus. The dominative midfielder stood by his beloved Old Lady through the Calciopoli scandal – a testament to his character and captured the attention of Australia when he announced a multi-million dollar deal with Sydney FC. Staying for two seasons, Del Piero tried to lift a struggling squad. He scored 24 times in 48 appearances, his curling free kicks a trademark of his time here. Forget about the 2013 Golden Boot, Club Player of the Year or A-League Goal of the Season, his name is still featured on the shirts of many who attend the games, and long may that be the case for the greatest ever player to grace A-League turf.
Striker: Dwight Yorke
Sydney FC began their great tradition of bringing the biggest talents to the A-League in their inaugural season when they signed former Manchester United frontman, Yorke. The icon’s header in the opening match of the competition gave a taste of things to come as he went on to plunder nine goals over 24 games and set up a host of team-mates, most notably Steve Corica for the winning goal in the final. Yorke was given the captaincy in his sole year at the club and will always be remembered as the man who lifted the first Hyundai A-League Champions shield.
Striker: Marc Janko
If you would have asked me four months ago if Marc Janko would have made Sydney FC’s team of the decade, the short answer would have been no. But a stellar couple of months has seen the Austrian spring well clear of his fellow strikers in the race for the Golden Boot and earn himself a place alongside Yorke in a striking partnership. Janko now sits at 19 goals and poised to continue his rich vein of form which has seen him break the record for the amount of games consecutively scored in. Let us hope we see him once again next season.
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Substitutes
Juninho Paulista: Another one of Sydney’s marquee masterstrokes, Juninho Paulista brought with him a huge international reputation. The Brazilian failed to make a great impact early on, but after recovering from a few injuries starred in Sydney’s late season resurgence of 2007/2008. His display against LA Galaxy highlighting his unbelievable talent.
Terry McFlynn: Sydney FC’s most capped player and a club icon, McFlynn was a monster in midfield for over nine years at the Sky Blues. The Northern-Irishmen was tough in the tackle, commanding those in front of him for an astonishing 214 caps.
David Zdrillic: Only kept out of a starting spot by two exceptional marquee signings, David Zdrillic returned to Australia for the start of the A-League. His versatility meant he could play almost anywhere in the top-half of the pitch and he was recently inducted into Sydney FC’s Hall of Fame.
Vederan Janjetovic: Every team needs a second keeper on the bench in case injury strikes and who better than Janjetovic? A man who had to bide his time in the shadows has now emerged as one the league’s best shot-stoppers.
John Aloisi: John Aloisi – Australia’s World Cup sweetheart signed with the Sky Blues in 2008 from bitter rivals, the Central Coast Mariners. Aloisi would turn out 40 times for Sydney FC and score 12 goals – not a bad man to have on the bench.
Manager: Pierre Littbarski. Took the challenge of a new league and new teams into his stride in his one year tenure at the club and managed to finish second in the league and overall, champions. Littbarski did well handling the diligent issue of leadership in the squad and set the club up to expect success.
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