If there’s a team that can tame A-League entertainers Newcastle, it’s Sydney FC.
Footballing philosophies are set to collide over the next two weekends when the Jets take on the Sly Blues for a place in the grand final.
Newcastle has been the competition’s fairytale story this season with an attacking style of play that has already led to premiership glory.
No team scored more goals during the regular season than the Jets, who found the back of the net 55 times in 26 games.
In contrast, Sydney has the A-League’s best defensive record, being the only team to concede less than a goal per game.
Under recently appointed coach Patrick Kisnorbo, the Sky Blues have become even more miserly, having kept four clean sheets in five games under the guidance of the former Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City mentor.
Sydney’s sometimes dour approach under Kisnorbo isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a “fresh perspective” that has been effective and welcomed by in-form Sky Blues goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
The 29-year-old gloveman, and Sydney’s recent back four of fullbacks Rhyan Grant and Ben Garuccio, and previously under-used central defenders Alexandar Popovic and Jordan Courtney-Perkins, are full of confidence heading into Saturday night’s semi-final first-leg clash at Allianz Stadium.
“It’s not just in the clean sheets, but also on the training pitch,” Devenish-Meares said.
“When we do good defensive actions we’re always gassing each other up, and even off the field we’re just talking about the game and how we can improve.
“There’s a lot and lot of belief in each other. In any team environment, that’s a beautiful thing.
“When you know the guys around you have so much confidence, you almost know what they’re going to do before they do it. That helps you perform at your best as well.”
While Devenish-Meares has received most of the credit for Sydney having only conceded 25 goals during the regular season, he said he could not have done it without the help of his defenders.
“When we’re defending, we’re all defending together, and that makes my job so much easier,” he said.
“There’s only so much I can do as a goalkeeper. I rely on the defence so much, so if they’re forcing predictable situations for me, then it just makes my life much easier.
“I definitely feed off them. It gives me a lot of confidence.”
Devenish-Meares said Kisnorbo showing belief in Popovic and Courtney-Perkins had also been crucial.
“He (Kisnorbo) has given guys a go that would have probably been out of the squad otherwise, and that helps everyone,” he said.
“We’re going from strength to strength every week, and this week is another opportunity to show how good we can be.
“We’re been building towards something as a squad.”
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