Sydney FC to be a force in 2023 according to star attacker Harbas

Sydney FC ace Alen Harbas is confident his team can make a strong challenge for silverware in this season’s National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

Last season, it was a case of what could’ve been; the side narrowly missing out on finals football despite a series of stellar performances throughout the year.

The young Sky Blues didn’t get off to the start they would’ve wanted this campaign. After an opening-round victory against Mount Druitt Town Rangers, they lost their next three including a 5-0 smashing from Marconi Stallions.

The side have since turned it around, winning three in a row and most recently snatching a last minute 1-0 win over title hopefuls Sydney United 58 at Edensor Park.

Having already scored four goals in this year’s NPL NSW Men’s campaign, Harbas attributed last week’s win and the team’s recent improved form to a change in mentality.

“It was a tight match. I feel like we definitely pulled through and worked together as a team and as a unit,” Harbas explained.

“We shifted gears and we stepped it up at training and games. I feel like we’ve gelled well over the last couple of weeks.

“Every game’s different but we look to just playing our game and even though we are a bit more youthful than them, we looked to our qualities.”

With the team only six points away from the top of the table, they remain in the hunt for the top prize this year.

They’ve got a favourable set of fixtures coming up too – five of their next six matches at home, facing three of the four newly promoted teams in that run.

Harbas believes Sydney FC can compete with the best of them in 2023.

“Getting a win against the top of the table at the time is huge for us, it’s a boost of confidence for all the boys. I feel like we can carry this form on in our upcoming matches,” he said.

“We feel like we can continue with our good form, and we’ve shown that we can compete with the top of the table.”

The side have a difficult game against reigning champions Blacktown City on Friday night at Valentine Sports Park who picked up a massive 5-1 win in round seven over reigning premiers Sydney Olympic.

Feature by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_