Sydney's Winning Mentality

After yet another traumatic week in the short, yet turbulent history of Sydney FC, there was finally a football match to distract attention from the boardroom. After 9 rounds of inspid, passionless displays, John Kosmina finally roused the league’s glamour club from their stupour.
A thrilling 3-2 win over the table topping Mariners was the ideal start for the coach many at Sydney love to hate. If things continue this way, the SFS faithful may have to start hating to love Kossie.

For sheer bloody-mindedness and will to win, it’s hard to go past Kosmina. As Adelaide coach he dragged his limited squad to an inaugural minor Premiership, and followed it up with a grand final appearance in Version 2. It often wasn’t pretty, but it was highly effective. Now after Branko Culina’s promise of attractive, swaggering football floundered on the rocks, Sydney long suffering support just want results. And Kosmina could just be the man.

The fans certainly think so after Sunday’s display. Over 17000 made the effort to turn up, 5000 up on last week’s clash with Adelaide. Doubtless the appearance of a World Cup hero in John Aloisi had an impact, but for many of the sky-blue clad fans, it was the hope of a response to the new coach; and thats exactly what they got.

As an attacking force, Sydney looked irresistible. The attacking quartet of impressive debutant Bridges, Corica, Juninho and Brosque, were at times devasting, and for the first 45 minutes, the Mariners were submerged by wave upon wave of Sydney attack. And despite the squandering of a penalty in the second half, and the expected Central Coast comeback, Sydney held on to re-ignite their title ambitions.

It is this area of the game that perhaps impressed the most. In the face of an onslaught from the Mariners, the previously fragile defensive structure, and team confidence held out. For all Kossie’s faults, he has always had a winning mentality. Now it’s Sydney FC’s turn to be moulded into a winning unit, that reflects their coach. It’s going to be quite a ride.