Sydney FC striker Alex Brosque is upbeat ahead of his side’s opening Asian Champions League match against Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday night saying FC feels physically fresh and is ready to employ a more cutting edge in China.
"After ten days off from the A-League, we've worked very hard with double sessions under Anthony Crea our conditioning coach to get our fitness back and I think we're going into this game in Shanghai a lot more positively than perhaps our last couple of matches under Terry [Butcher]," Brosque told FourFourTwo online shortly before leaving for China.
"We'll go to Shanghai very fresh. A lot of games are won in the final stages. We'll be looking to last the distance," added Socceroo Brosque.
Sydney's last competitive fixture was a second leg minor semi loss 2-0 to Newcastle Jets on February 2. However in a shock, the newly merged Shanghai Shenhua also lost their opening game of the Chinese Super League season on Saturday going down 2-0 to Beijing Guo'an.
"We've tried two different types of systems so far under Branko, with me just off the shoulder of Zdrilic and also with three upfront and one in behind. Sort of similar to what we had under Terry Butcher but it's a lot more attacking instead of defensive minded," said Brosque.
"The guys on the wings don't have to drop back so much. Last year they couldn't last the distance because they were going box to box which was difficult on them.
"Right now, it’s a also about keeping our shape which is important. Hopefully the way we’re playing is more attacking. We’ve got a free role up front to move about and in the trial matches the signs have been good."
Brosque is not underestimating the task ahead of Sydney in group E. The A-League side must top the group to go through. The group also features J-League powerhouse Urawa Red Diamonds and Indonesia's Persik Kediri.
"We're not under any illusions about this task in the group stage. It's why we’ve been working hard and we know the importance of the first match in China."
However, Sydney FC were dealt a blow ahead of the trip to China with two of its Olyroos, Mark Milligan and Nikolai Topor Stanley, now arriving the day before the game.
Visa problems meant the pair had to fly back to Australia from Iran (where they played an Olympics qualifier on Wednesday night) before flying onto China. Originally the pair were to go directly from Iran to China.
Still, Brosque can't wait to kick off this exciting new era for Aussie football. "The importance of the Asian Champions League hasn't really sunk in. I think when we arrive and the whole media thing hits us we'll realise how big this is. I’m sure in a few years' time this Champions League can rival the European version because Asia is a massive, massive part of the world."
Elsewhere, in the ACL, Esteghal Tehran have been disqualified for failing to fulfil player registration requirements, leaving one of the seven groups a team short.
"We'll go to Shanghai very fresh. A lot of games are won in the final stages. We'll be looking to last the distance," added Socceroo Brosque.
Sydney's last competitive fixture was a second leg minor semi loss 2-0 to Newcastle Jets on February 2. However in a shock, the newly merged Shanghai Shenhua also lost their opening game of the Chinese Super League season on Saturday going down 2-0 to Beijing Guo'an.
"We've tried two different types of systems so far under Branko, with me just off the shoulder of Zdrilic and also with three upfront and one in behind. Sort of similar to what we had under Terry Butcher but it's a lot more attacking instead of defensive minded," said Brosque.
"The guys on the wings don't have to drop back so much. Last year they couldn't last the distance because they were going box to box which was difficult on them.
"Right now, it’s a also about keeping our shape which is important. Hopefully the way we’re playing is more attacking. We’ve got a free role up front to move about and in the trial matches the signs have been good."
Brosque is not underestimating the task ahead of Sydney in group E. The A-League side must top the group to go through. The group also features J-League powerhouse Urawa Red Diamonds and Indonesia's Persik Kediri.
"We're not under any illusions about this task in the group stage. It's why we’ve been working hard and we know the importance of the first match in China."
However, Sydney FC were dealt a blow ahead of the trip to China with two of its Olyroos, Mark Milligan and Nikolai Topor Stanley, now arriving the day before the game.
Visa problems meant the pair had to fly back to Australia from Iran (where they played an Olympics qualifier on Wednesday night) before flying onto China. Originally the pair were to go directly from Iran to China.
Still, Brosque can't wait to kick off this exciting new era for Aussie football. "The importance of the Asian Champions League hasn't really sunk in. I think when we arrive and the whole media thing hits us we'll realise how big this is. I’m sure in a few years' time this Champions League can rival the European version because Asia is a massive, massive part of the world."
Elsewhere, in the ACL, Esteghal Tehran have been disqualified for failing to fulfil player registration requirements, leaving one of the seven groups a team short.
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