Post by paoktzi on Apr 5, 2011 12:58:05 GMT 10
We had the opportunity to have a chat with Gary yesterday and the ex-Olympic midfielder was thrilled with the results of Olympic in the first two rounds of the competition.
For the younger fans of Sydney Olympic, Gary played for the Club for more than a decade and had 258 appearances with the Olympic jersey and scored 13 goals. Currently Gary is the head coach and Technical Director of Malaysian Premier League side Sabah FA and guided the team to Super League promotion in just 7 months. Gary is also an occasional football pundit on Malaysian television network.
Q: The season kicked off a couple of weeks ago and Sydney Olympic already counts 2 wins in 2 away games. Have you watched the team? How do you think Olympic will go this season?
A: Unfortunately I have not seen the team play. I am currently coaching in the Malaysian Super League so it’s a little difficult to watch at the moment!
It is always nice to sit amongst the best supporters in the world. I miss the personalities.
Olympic have had a solid start which will provide confidence. As always if the best 11 can stay injury free, maintain discipline to minimise suspensions, take their chances and enjoy some luck the team will do well.
Q: What are the main differences you can see in the team this season in comparison to last season? How different is it since you were playing for our historic Club?
A: I have yet to see the team play but 2 wins from 2 away from home is a change from last year!
Always dangerous to compare past with present However one example of ‘then’ is the cross cultural derbies which are cherished moments.
The first game I scored in was 1982 against APIA at Pratten Park 15,000 fans shaking the field literally....we won 2-0 the field was invaded and our jubilant supporters carried Mark Koussas and I off the field!....sadly that interaction doesn’t happen anymore....
Q: In your opinion, how will the fact that we have all 11 first games away and then the whole of the second round at home, affect the team?
A: Interesting because I live on the Island of Borneo a 2.5 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur. Every away game we travel a minimum 1 flight but mostly 2 flights to different parts of Malaysia up to 4-5 hours plus transit times etc. We have played 8 games this season and 6 away from home.
Dealing with away games is difficult for players, supporters and of course no gate collection to pay the bills. This can put pressure on every facet of the club.
Having won the first 2 on the road will negate that to a degree. More importantly winning relieves pressure of the players and the coaching staff.
Obviously the decision to play 11 away first has been set. As a coach/player If it is out of your control you deal with it and move on with the knowledge that you so many home games in your back pocket.
Olympic supporters will travel anywhere to watch their team so every away game is like playing at home anyway!!!
Kelantan the team currently leading in the Malaysian Super League recently purchased 12,000 tickets for an AWAY derby....and it is about 10 hour drive!!!
Q: After two rounds and with mixed results for most of the teams, who do you believe are the favourites for top 5?
A: Olympic. Rest don’t matter
Q: What are your personal expectations for the 2011 season? Where would you like to see Olympic at the end of the 2011 season?
A: As an Olympic supporter you expect to be entertained. At the end of the season I would like to see Olympic with Winning trophy in the cabinet. Furthermore I would like to see the administration prepare a bid to enter the Gay Leagueand take the club back to the highest level where the supporters deserve to be!!!
Q: What message would you like to get out to all the supporters of the Club for the 2011 Season?
A: Enjoy your game and the many special moments it brings.
www.sydneyolympicfc.com/news/2011/04/05/gary-phillips-enjoy-the-game-and-the-many-special-moments/
For the younger fans of Sydney Olympic, Gary played for the Club for more than a decade and had 258 appearances with the Olympic jersey and scored 13 goals. Currently Gary is the head coach and Technical Director of Malaysian Premier League side Sabah FA and guided the team to Super League promotion in just 7 months. Gary is also an occasional football pundit on Malaysian television network.
Q: The season kicked off a couple of weeks ago and Sydney Olympic already counts 2 wins in 2 away games. Have you watched the team? How do you think Olympic will go this season?
A: Unfortunately I have not seen the team play. I am currently coaching in the Malaysian Super League so it’s a little difficult to watch at the moment!
It is always nice to sit amongst the best supporters in the world. I miss the personalities.
Olympic have had a solid start which will provide confidence. As always if the best 11 can stay injury free, maintain discipline to minimise suspensions, take their chances and enjoy some luck the team will do well.
Q: What are the main differences you can see in the team this season in comparison to last season? How different is it since you were playing for our historic Club?
A: I have yet to see the team play but 2 wins from 2 away from home is a change from last year!
Always dangerous to compare past with present However one example of ‘then’ is the cross cultural derbies which are cherished moments.
The first game I scored in was 1982 against APIA at Pratten Park 15,000 fans shaking the field literally....we won 2-0 the field was invaded and our jubilant supporters carried Mark Koussas and I off the field!....sadly that interaction doesn’t happen anymore....
Q: In your opinion, how will the fact that we have all 11 first games away and then the whole of the second round at home, affect the team?
A: Interesting because I live on the Island of Borneo a 2.5 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur. Every away game we travel a minimum 1 flight but mostly 2 flights to different parts of Malaysia up to 4-5 hours plus transit times etc. We have played 8 games this season and 6 away from home.
Dealing with away games is difficult for players, supporters and of course no gate collection to pay the bills. This can put pressure on every facet of the club.
Having won the first 2 on the road will negate that to a degree. More importantly winning relieves pressure of the players and the coaching staff.
Obviously the decision to play 11 away first has been set. As a coach/player If it is out of your control you deal with it and move on with the knowledge that you so many home games in your back pocket.
Olympic supporters will travel anywhere to watch their team so every away game is like playing at home anyway!!!
Kelantan the team currently leading in the Malaysian Super League recently purchased 12,000 tickets for an AWAY derby....and it is about 10 hour drive!!!
Q: After two rounds and with mixed results for most of the teams, who do you believe are the favourites for top 5?
A: Olympic. Rest don’t matter
Q: What are your personal expectations for the 2011 season? Where would you like to see Olympic at the end of the 2011 season?
A: As an Olympic supporter you expect to be entertained. At the end of the season I would like to see Olympic with Winning trophy in the cabinet. Furthermore I would like to see the administration prepare a bid to enter the Gay Leagueand take the club back to the highest level where the supporters deserve to be!!!
Q: What message would you like to get out to all the supporters of the Club for the 2011 Season?
A: Enjoy your game and the many special moments it brings.
www.sydneyolympicfc.com/news/2011/04/05/gary-phillips-enjoy-the-game-and-the-many-special-moments/
