The Team: One of the most successful football clubs in the history of Australian football, Sydney Olympic will again start this season as one of the favourites for silverware.
Built around the coaching philosophies of Peter Tsekenis and Peter Papoythis, the Blues have an enviable list of players at their disposal.
The disappointment of not backing up the 2011 championship winning campaign was visible when the side bowed out of the finals-series last season, though the new additions made to this season’s squad – and with some spectacular new jerseys to match – the feeling around the club is very positive at present.
Defensively, the Blues look tidy with the experience of Paul Henderson in between the sticks adding much confidence to the backline. Brett Studman will again carry the marshalling duties across the defensive line, with the experience of Ibrahim Haydar and Emmanuel Giannaros sure to assist the former National League defender.
Additional cover of the defensive-line arrives in the form of Marton Vass and Troy Danaskos who add further stability in the middle of the park alongside Phil Makrys. The Blues captain will again be the engine in the heart of the Blues midfield. Makrys’ ability to not only win the ball but also provide his strikers with pin-point accuracy will be a major feature of the Blues this season.
Up-front, Sydney Olympic possess enormous firepower with a number of goalscorers at the coach’s disposal. Hussein Salameh has proven his ability during his time at Bankstown City and the Blues, as has new signing Luke Grima, adding additional strength with Elsid Barkhousir’s arrival to the frontline.
Will Angel’s pace from the wing, mixed with the experience of new signing Petar Markvoic on the opposite flank has expectations of the Sydney Olympic supporters very high this season.
Finally the late arrival of former Kiwi youth international and ex-APIA Leichhardt Tigers striker Ethan Gailbraith will surely have the Blues as one of the most potent attack force in the competition.
Two players that may come under the radar is English import Kingsley Williams and former Illawarra Premier League player Andreas Franco
The Coach: Peter Tsekenis has an attacking football philosophy, and one that has proven successful thus far in his coaching career.
Year 2 at the Blues failed to deliver the successful title winning campaign of 2011, however Sydney Olympic’s favourite son appears to have assembled a very strong playing squad.
A mix of youth and experience has been amassed and it appears that the coach’s master touch is already coming through.
The 2013 Pre-Season Cup has proven the boss and his trusty assistant Peter Papoythis have already hit the ground running and a highly successful season cannot be put past this duo.
Player to watch: With such an array of talent at the disposal of Peter Tsekenis, the upcoming season for the Blues has ‘players to watch’ across the entire park. One new signing, made in the off season, is that of Elsid Barkhousir from Sydney United 58 FC. The proven goalscorer has an exceptional record in the Premier League competition and his pre-season form has already captured the hearts of the Sydney Olympic supporters. With blistering pace and a cool head in-front of goal, the striker’s prowess is amongst the very best on offer in the league.
Add to that an immense array of talent around the goal-poacher to provide the ball in the front-third, expect Barkhousir to reach double figures in the goalscoring department this campaign.
Rising Star: In a team of stars, coach Peter Tsekenis can also look upon youngster Brendan Hooper to mix it with the league’s best.
Hooper, who has made the transition from the Grade 18s to the 20s, has played a big role in the Pre-Season Cup, proving his ability to slot into the defensive line and exhibit fine talent beyond his young years.
With the guidance of leader Brett Studman, and experienced campaigners Emmanuel Giannaros and Ibrahim Haydar in the backline, Hooper has every single chance of stealing the spotlight in 2013, even at the very young age of 18.
2013 Sydney Olympic Squad: Paul Henderson, Emmanuel Giannaros, Brett Studman, Ibrahim Haydar, Marton Vass, Phil Makrys (C), Kingsley Williams, Luke Grima, Andreas Franco, William Angel, Troy Danaskos, Petar Markovic, Zach Elrich, Elsid Barkhousir, Hussein Salameh, Alex Mitroyiannis, Anthony Bouzanis, James Demetriou, Amaury Gauthier, Brandon Hooper, Ethan Gailbraith
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