Sydney can take the best of Asia

GRAHAM Arnold has declared Sydney FC to be the best team in A-League history, adding he is confident it can become the second Australian side to win the Asia Champions League.

“There will always be debate as to whether it’s us or Brisbane,” Arnold said.

“OK, they won two championships and we’re chasing that, but they only won one (minor) premiership.

“Brisbane, I believe, lost seven games in those normal rounds in those two years. We’ve lost two with seven games to go.

“That’s our motivation and drive, to beat what they had.”

Sydney kicks off its Champions League campaign at home to South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings on Wednesday.

As his side continues to dominate domestically, fans and pundits alike are keen to see how Arnold’s side measures up against Asia’s best.

And Arnold is adamant that Sydney can follow in the footsteps of the Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014 and lift the ACL crown.

“Yeah I do,” he said. “Obviously it’s early days and you’ve got to go through the first step first, which is the first six games.

“But I do really believe we’ve got the team and the players to go a long way.

“The first thing is to get to the last 16 and we go from there.

“I think it’s an exciting period for us. And I do believe we’ve got a lot more in us as well, much more to give than what we’re giving.

“I’m still waiting for that 90minute performance ... and I think in the Champions League we will see that.

“Because the players obviously know it’s a step up in level and from the first game we will be 100 per cent ready.”

With a 12-point gap between it and second-placed Newcastle, Arnold said “we’ve put ourselves in a position where we’ve got choices” about prioritising particular games over others.

Arnold also praised the professionalism of Dutch defender Jordy Bujis, who was outstanding in Sydney’s 4-0 demolition of Melbourne City on Saturday night.

I THINK IT’S AN EXCITING PERIOD FOR US. AND I DO BELIEVE WE’VE GOT A LOT MORE IN US AS WELL, MUCH MORE TO GIVE THAN WHAT WE’RE GIVING.

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