Sydney Olympic hungry for success in 2013

Sydney Olympic has a lot of improvement in them despite winning the pre-season cup, according to assistant coach Peter Papoythis.

The former National Soccer League club went through the pre-season undefeated including their 2-1 victory over Blacktown City FC in the cup final.

Papoythis said the cup triumph was impressive but there a whole season ahead of them.

“We are going quite well now, but we still have a lot of work to do,’’ Papoythis said.

“Sydney United, Bonnyrigg and Sutherland are all good teams and they will not be walk overs this season.

“We saw the pre-season cup as another chance at silverware. Our club is very results driven so when we saw another trophy was available we played for it.’’

The club will go into the 2013 season missing influential brothers Chris and Peter Triantis.

Papoythis admits replacing the last season’s player of the year and a current Sydney FC player was difficult but they have brought good players into the squad.

“Any club who loses the Triantis brothers is a massive loss,’’ he said.

“Fortunately we have signed a really good midfielder in Kingley Williams who has come over from England.

“He is a really good box to box player and will take over Peter’s role.

“Replacing Chris is very difficult so we will go for a different structure in the midfield.

“In saying that we have some great players with Phil Markys still with us and Petar Markovic joining us who can really play anywhere across the middle of the park.’’

The acquisition of striker Elsid Barkhousir is also sure to excite the Belmore faithful with the former Sydney United player already on fire in pre-season.

“I think a new environment and new coaches is helping Elsid,’’ Papoythis said.

“He is a tremendous player with a lot of talent. So far he has been brilliant in front of goal and we believe he is one of the best strikers in the league.’’

Papoythis has earnt a great rapport from his players as an inspirational pre-game motivator.

But the man affectionately known as Flea said his players must believe in the coaches words for his speeches to work.

“I play with their minds and give them confidence,’’ he said.

“Sometimes players veer away from the plan and they have to be reminded why they are playing football.

“It is all part of my job, I do get them up but hopefully they listen.’’

Sydney Olympic will hope to start their National Premier Leagues IGA NSW Mens 1 season on the right track when they host the Central Coast Academy squad on Saturday at Belmore Sports Ground starting at 7pm.

The team has set themselves the goal of reaching the final five and then look towards a grand final berth this season.

“Every year we set our goals and I even set myself goals for what I want to do for the season,’’ Papoythis said.

“We will do our best to make the top five and from there look towards the grand final.

“Last year we struggled in the finals because I think our training facilities weren’t up to scratch.

“This year is different, we have great facilities at Peter Moore Oval behind Belmore Sports Ground which will make out job a lot easier.’’

-By Chris Georges