1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZEDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:17,387 Speaker 2: Tonight, Auckland FC face Sydney FC in Sydney seven o'clock kickoff, 4 00:00:17,427 --> 00:00:20,347 Speaker 2: New Zealand time. Auckland FC coach is Steve Coricker, who 5 00:00:20,427 --> 00:00:23,827 Speaker 2: joins us now Steve first time back in Sydney at 6 00:00:23,987 --> 00:00:28,187 Speaker 2: SYDNEYFC as an opposition coach. Of course, you won premierships 7 00:00:28,507 --> 00:00:31,707 Speaker 2: and championships at Sydney FC as a player and as 8 00:00:31,747 --> 00:00:34,307 Speaker 2: a coach, so how do you expect the emotions to 9 00:00:34,347 --> 00:00:36,067 Speaker 2: be when you arrive at the ground in a few 10 00:00:36,067 --> 00:00:36,587 Speaker 2: hours time. 11 00:00:37,747 --> 00:00:41,307 Speaker 3: It's definitely a strange game for me to this weekend, 12 00:00:41,467 --> 00:00:43,987 Speaker 3: obviously going back to Sydney after a long time. So 13 00:00:45,467 --> 00:00:47,387 Speaker 3: the main thing, obviously it's a big thing for me. 14 00:00:47,547 --> 00:00:50,947 Speaker 3: But the main thing is that the players remain focused 15 00:00:51,267 --> 00:00:54,027 Speaker 3: and just get the job done. It's no different for them. 16 00:00:54,107 --> 00:00:57,107 Speaker 3: It's we know how difficult the season is going to be. 17 00:00:57,307 --> 00:01:00,427 Speaker 3: The running four games are all difficult, so we treat 18 00:01:00,427 --> 00:01:03,107 Speaker 3: them as a final each game and as long as 19 00:01:03,107 --> 00:01:05,307 Speaker 3: the players are focused on that, that's the main thing. 20 00:01:05,507 --> 00:01:08,907 Speaker 2: So you're eleven game unbeaten, five points clear at the 21 00:01:08,947 --> 00:01:12,307 Speaker 2: top with four games to go, but four draws in 22 00:01:12,347 --> 00:01:14,667 Speaker 2: your last five matches, how do you assess, Steve, where 23 00:01:14,707 --> 00:01:17,747 Speaker 2: you are with four games to go before the finals. 24 00:01:19,267 --> 00:01:20,227 Speaker 4: Five points clear. 25 00:01:20,427 --> 00:01:22,187 Speaker 3: I think if anyone would have said that at the 26 00:01:22,227 --> 00:01:24,067 Speaker 3: start of the year, I think we would have taken it. 27 00:01:25,107 --> 00:01:28,427 Speaker 3: So I think the last last few games, obviously, the draws, 28 00:01:29,227 --> 00:01:30,667 Speaker 3: there's a couple of things in that. I think it 29 00:01:30,747 --> 00:01:34,947 Speaker 3: shows that we're hard to beat, but we just haven't 30 00:01:35,067 --> 00:01:37,307 Speaker 3: had the cutting edge of late I think to finish 31 00:01:37,387 --> 00:01:40,267 Speaker 3: teams off when we've had opportunities as the other side 32 00:01:40,267 --> 00:01:42,587 Speaker 3: of things, So there's obviously two different sides of it. 33 00:01:43,747 --> 00:01:46,427 Speaker 3: Like you said, eleven unbeaten, I think that's that's pretty 34 00:01:46,547 --> 00:01:49,027 Speaker 3: pretty good for a team that's just come into the 35 00:01:49,107 --> 00:01:51,787 Speaker 3: league and showing what we can do. 36 00:01:52,147 --> 00:01:55,347 Speaker 2: And apart from the cutting edge, there's also the concession 37 00:01:55,347 --> 00:01:59,507 Speaker 2: of goals. Are the recent draws in any way frustrating, Steve, 38 00:01:59,587 --> 00:02:02,987 Speaker 2: especially given the fact that you held leads but gave 39 00:02:03,107 --> 00:02:05,547 Speaker 2: up leads in three of those four matches. 40 00:02:06,427 --> 00:02:08,787 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that's probably for me it is anyway, 41 00:02:08,827 --> 00:02:11,347 Speaker 3: because I think if you see at the start of 42 00:02:11,387 --> 00:02:13,667 Speaker 3: the year we were doing the opposite, you know, would 43 00:02:13,707 --> 00:02:16,027 Speaker 3: go up when we would keep a clean sheet or 44 00:02:16,627 --> 00:02:18,787 Speaker 3: you know, we we would get the job done. And 45 00:02:18,827 --> 00:02:22,147 Speaker 3: I think the last few games obviously Adelaide's Central Coast 46 00:02:24,267 --> 00:02:29,627 Speaker 3: Wanderers even last week, you know, obviously tough teams to 47 00:02:29,627 --> 00:02:32,147 Speaker 3: play against. But yeah, I think you know, that's probably 48 00:02:32,187 --> 00:02:34,467 Speaker 3: the difference from the start of the season. But you know, 49 00:02:34,547 --> 00:02:36,907 Speaker 3: towards the end of the season, everyone is, you know, 50 00:02:37,107 --> 00:02:40,987 Speaker 3: desperate for points and it shows. You know, that's probably 51 00:02:41,187 --> 00:02:44,227 Speaker 3: the real positive for me is that you know, we 52 00:02:44,507 --> 00:02:47,147 Speaker 3: we haven't been beaten, and that's that's a real positive 53 00:02:47,227 --> 00:02:49,867 Speaker 3: for you know, we've we've lost two games all season. 54 00:02:50,467 --> 00:02:53,747 Speaker 3: I know, draws obviously not the best thing for us 55 00:02:53,787 --> 00:02:57,947 Speaker 3: right now, but it's a real positive to going into 56 00:02:57,947 --> 00:03:00,067 Speaker 3: the finals with that mentality. 57 00:03:00,627 --> 00:03:04,027 Speaker 2: Formation wise, are you all in on the front two, 58 00:03:04,187 --> 00:03:06,867 Speaker 2: Max Martin, because you Ma Mai, you've played those two 59 00:03:06,907 --> 00:03:10,147 Speaker 2: together for the last quite a few games, or might 60 00:03:10,227 --> 00:03:13,787 Speaker 2: you consider going back to the slightly different formation you 61 00:03:13,907 --> 00:03:17,147 Speaker 2: used earlier in the season when you had Juskizimomi and 62 00:03:17,347 --> 00:03:19,907 Speaker 2: two wingers a winger either side off him up front. 63 00:03:21,307 --> 00:03:24,627 Speaker 4: Well, we've still got the wingers with the two up front. 64 00:03:24,667 --> 00:03:26,827 Speaker 3: But you know, like I said to someone the other day, 65 00:03:26,987 --> 00:03:30,107 Speaker 3: it looks like it is two strikers, but if you 66 00:03:30,147 --> 00:03:33,387 Speaker 3: look how deep Gaugemo is dropping, it's more like a ten. 67 00:03:33,427 --> 00:03:34,747 Speaker 4: Anyway, he's playing as a ten. 68 00:03:34,907 --> 00:03:38,987 Speaker 3: So you know, obviously with Max playing it gives us 69 00:03:39,027 --> 00:03:41,827 Speaker 3: another dimension because of his height, his strength. 70 00:03:42,787 --> 00:03:44,187 Speaker 4: That's probably the only difference. 71 00:03:44,187 --> 00:03:47,667 Speaker 3: When Max plays that, he obviously gives us another route 72 00:03:47,707 --> 00:03:50,467 Speaker 3: a little bit more direct. You know, we can play 73 00:03:50,467 --> 00:03:52,187 Speaker 3: balls into him that he can hold up. But if 74 00:03:52,187 --> 00:03:55,187 Speaker 3: you look at Gagemo, he's playing more deeper and you 75 00:03:55,187 --> 00:03:57,147 Speaker 3: could plut class him as a as a ten if 76 00:03:57,147 --> 00:03:59,267 Speaker 3: you really wanted to. But he's also in the box 77 00:03:59,307 --> 00:04:05,347 Speaker 3: to score goals. Right now, it's working well. You know, 78 00:04:05,387 --> 00:04:08,107 Speaker 3: we've changed the system couple of times. You know, we've 79 00:04:08,107 --> 00:04:10,987 Speaker 3: gone with the back three as well to to try 80 00:04:10,987 --> 00:04:14,067 Speaker 3: and bring us home towards laden games as well, either 81 00:04:14,107 --> 00:04:17,667 Speaker 3: to keep a clean clean sheet or to go a 82 00:04:17,707 --> 00:04:19,907 Speaker 3: little bit more attacking with that system as well. 83 00:04:19,907 --> 00:04:20,347 Speaker 4: You can do. 84 00:04:20,707 --> 00:04:22,827 Speaker 2: Can you just give us an availability update on a 85 00:04:22,827 --> 00:04:25,067 Speaker 2: couple of players who've been missing recently through injury that 86 00:04:25,307 --> 00:04:28,347 Speaker 2: you're Colombian important Nata but I know, and also Liam 87 00:04:28,347 --> 00:04:30,547 Speaker 2: Gillian who's been out for a bit longer. 88 00:04:31,627 --> 00:04:36,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, they're both both trained. Liam trained fully this week. 89 00:04:37,867 --> 00:04:41,907 Speaker 4: Obviously. You know, he's been out longer than Nada. 90 00:04:42,027 --> 00:04:44,907 Speaker 3: He's been out for probably six eight weeks, I think, 91 00:04:44,947 --> 00:04:47,307 Speaker 3: maybe a little bit longer. I'm not too sure exactly 92 00:04:47,427 --> 00:04:49,627 Speaker 3: how long. It's been quite a while with him, so 93 00:04:49,907 --> 00:04:51,667 Speaker 3: but he was very good at training this week. So 94 00:04:51,747 --> 00:04:55,667 Speaker 3: he's he'll be traveling and Nada also will be traveling. 95 00:04:55,747 --> 00:04:58,667 Speaker 3: He's he's done less training this week, but he he's 96 00:04:58,667 --> 00:05:01,267 Speaker 3: sticked all the boxes. You know, he's only been out 97 00:05:01,267 --> 00:05:04,627 Speaker 3: a couple of weeks, so it's you know, his fitness 98 00:05:04,667 --> 00:05:07,267 Speaker 3: and fitness levels is probably a little bit better than 99 00:05:07,307 --> 00:05:08,147 Speaker 3: Liams at the moment. 100 00:05:08,627 --> 00:05:11,667 Speaker 2: Sydney FC, your opposition tonight. They're in a battle for 101 00:05:11,787 --> 00:05:15,107 Speaker 2: finals places. It's very very tight in of around sort 102 00:05:15,107 --> 00:05:17,307 Speaker 2: of five, six, seven on the table, which is where 103 00:05:17,347 --> 00:05:20,707 Speaker 2: they are. Do you think that'll make them more desperate, 104 00:05:20,747 --> 00:05:23,507 Speaker 2: perhaps even more dangerous for you tonight? 105 00:05:24,467 --> 00:05:26,747 Speaker 3: I think all teams are dangerous at this time of year, 106 00:05:26,827 --> 00:05:29,347 Speaker 3: especially teams that are around the six and trying to 107 00:05:29,387 --> 00:05:35,827 Speaker 3: get into the six. You know, it's yeah, they definitely 108 00:05:35,867 --> 00:05:40,787 Speaker 3: will be. They played in the Champions League and they've 109 00:05:40,787 --> 00:05:43,107 Speaker 3: got to play again on next Wednesday. I think after 110 00:05:43,147 --> 00:05:46,267 Speaker 3: our game in the Champions League games, so they've got 111 00:05:46,307 --> 00:05:48,987 Speaker 3: a lot of games coming up, probably a lot of 112 00:05:48,987 --> 00:05:52,147 Speaker 3: traveler as well because they played away on Wednesday. So 113 00:05:52,667 --> 00:05:55,147 Speaker 3: we'll just try and make the most of what we're 114 00:05:55,187 --> 00:05:58,467 Speaker 3: trying to achieve and obviously we want to get a win. 115 00:05:58,627 --> 00:06:01,867 Speaker 3: So our next challenge is obviously Sydney at their ground 116 00:06:01,947 --> 00:06:04,267 Speaker 3: and it would be a great challenge for us all 117 00:06:04,347 --> 00:06:06,187 Speaker 3: to go there and get three points. 118 00:06:06,387 --> 00:06:08,347 Speaker 2: And if you look at the threats that they post, 119 00:06:08,387 --> 00:06:12,347 Speaker 2: Steve they've got a number of attacking threats. Patrick Klimala 120 00:06:12,467 --> 00:06:16,147 Speaker 2: ten goals, Adrian Sigachich ten goals, Joe Lollie's got nine, 121 00:06:16,187 --> 00:06:19,507 Speaker 2: Douglas Costa starting to show what he can do. Do 122 00:06:19,587 --> 00:06:22,587 Speaker 2: you expect them to come at you at home tonight? 123 00:06:23,347 --> 00:06:25,307 Speaker 3: I think that's their style of football. They will, I 124 00:06:25,347 --> 00:06:30,387 Speaker 3: think one percent. Yeah, So obviously we're prepared for that. 125 00:06:30,707 --> 00:06:34,787 Speaker 3: We you know, we we know how they play and 126 00:06:35,307 --> 00:06:38,507 Speaker 3: the areas that we want to try and exploit as well. 127 00:06:39,227 --> 00:06:41,947 Speaker 3: Very attacking team and they get a lot of bodies forward. 128 00:06:42,507 --> 00:06:46,787 Speaker 3: Obviously defensively, you know, they've conceded some goals and I think, 129 00:06:46,867 --> 00:06:48,587 Speaker 3: you know, we if we play really well and we 130 00:06:48,627 --> 00:06:51,027 Speaker 3: can take our opportunities when they come that we will 131 00:06:51,027 --> 00:06:53,507 Speaker 3: have a really good crack and hope to get the 132 00:06:53,507 --> 00:06:54,227 Speaker 3: three points. 133 00:06:54,547 --> 00:06:57,307 Speaker 2: You've been here before, Steve, you have won a league, 134 00:06:57,387 --> 00:07:01,107 Speaker 2: premierships and championships as a player and as a coach. 135 00:07:01,347 --> 00:07:03,707 Speaker 2: So as you look to negotiate the back end of 136 00:07:04,187 --> 00:07:07,107 Speaker 2: this season, you're first at Auckland FC. How much do 137 00:07:07,147 --> 00:07:10,347 Speaker 2: you draw on your past experiences as a player and 138 00:07:10,427 --> 00:07:11,947 Speaker 2: I guess more so as a coach. 139 00:07:13,427 --> 00:07:16,227 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's obviously you know, we're in a great position 140 00:07:16,267 --> 00:07:19,747 Speaker 3: obviously to do something special in winning trophy first time 141 00:07:19,787 --> 00:07:22,987 Speaker 3: ever in New Zealand, so you know, obviously there's a 142 00:07:23,027 --> 00:07:25,227 Speaker 3: lot of pressure, but there's pressure going into every game. 143 00:07:25,027 --> 00:07:26,827 Speaker 4: And you know, maybe we were a little bit. 144 00:07:26,747 --> 00:07:28,907 Speaker 3: Unknown at the start of the season, but you know, 145 00:07:28,947 --> 00:07:33,107 Speaker 3: teams is obviously come quickly and worked out that we're 146 00:07:33,227 --> 00:07:35,467 Speaker 3: we're a very good team, hard to beat and you 147 00:07:35,507 --> 00:07:38,107 Speaker 3: know teams lifts as well because they're playing you know, 148 00:07:38,147 --> 00:07:41,187 Speaker 3: the number one team at the moment. So it's always 149 00:07:41,187 --> 00:07:43,467 Speaker 3: going to be tough running to the end of the season. 150 00:07:43,547 --> 00:07:46,187 Speaker 3: And you know it doesn't matter whether we you know, 151 00:07:46,267 --> 00:07:49,387 Speaker 3: we get the get the job done in you know, 152 00:07:49,467 --> 00:07:51,467 Speaker 3: two weeks to go or the last game of the season. 153 00:07:51,507 --> 00:07:54,027 Speaker 3: For me, it's important that the boys remain focused and 154 00:07:54,387 --> 00:07:57,147 Speaker 3: just keep working hard at what we're what we're trying 155 00:07:57,147 --> 00:08:00,547 Speaker 3: to achieve, and and remain focused on every every game 156 00:08:00,547 --> 00:08:01,307 Speaker 3: that we play. 157 00:08:01,187 --> 00:08:03,347 Speaker 4: Because there's no use looking too far in front. 158 00:08:03,347 --> 00:08:05,507 Speaker 3: It's you know, one game at a time right now, 159 00:08:05,547 --> 00:08:07,747 Speaker 3: and the game is the Sydney and if we can 160 00:08:07,747 --> 00:08:10,907 Speaker 3: get three points there, we were inching closer to what 161 00:08:10,947 --> 00:08:11,747 Speaker 3: we're trying to achieve. 162 00:08:12,267 --> 00:08:15,227 Speaker 2: And this week, another accolade for you personally, for the 163 00:08:15,267 --> 00:08:19,427 Speaker 2: fifth straight month, you were voted a League manager of 164 00:08:19,467 --> 00:08:23,147 Speaker 2: the Month. You'll need more room on your mental piece. 165 00:08:23,547 --> 00:08:25,227 Speaker 2: What do accolades like this mean to you? 166 00:08:26,267 --> 00:08:29,947 Speaker 3: It was very nice, obviously, have to have that, But yeah, 167 00:08:29,947 --> 00:08:31,907 Speaker 3: obviously it wasn't the best month, I don't think for 168 00:08:32,067 --> 00:08:35,867 Speaker 3: us with all their drawls in there. But obviously we 169 00:08:35,907 --> 00:08:37,547 Speaker 3: have a lot of fans that vote for that, and 170 00:08:37,627 --> 00:08:38,987 Speaker 3: I really appreciate them voting. 171 00:08:39,027 --> 00:08:43,667 Speaker 4: But yeah, obviously it's nice to have five five five 172 00:08:43,707 --> 00:08:46,027 Speaker 4: months in a row. That's pretty pretty fantastic. 173 00:08:46,107 --> 00:08:49,387 Speaker 3: But you know it's at the end of the day, 174 00:08:49,387 --> 00:08:52,787 Speaker 3: it doesn't really get me three points, So my main 175 00:08:52,827 --> 00:08:54,747 Speaker 3: focus is getting three points against Sydney. 176 00:08:54,827 --> 00:08:56,787 Speaker 2: All right, all all the best getting those tonight, Steve 177 00:08:56,987 --> 00:08:59,507 Speaker 2: and on towards the back end of a very exciting 178 00:08:59,547 --> 00:09:02,027 Speaker 2: A league season, the first for Auckland FC. Best I 179 00:09:02,107 --> 00:09:03,507 Speaker 2: like tonight, Madan, thanks for chatting to us. 180 00:09:03,867 --> 00:09:05,227 Speaker 4: Cheers Biney, Thanks mate. 181 00:09:05,587 --> 00:09:08,987 Speaker 1: For more Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. 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