Sydney FC are staying upbeat despite their FFA Cup disappointment, coach Steve Corica and defender Alex Wilkinson insisting they outplayed Adelaide United and were unfortunate not to end up with the trophy.
The Sky Blues have little time to dwell on the 2-1 defeat as they shift their focus to Friday night's A-League clash with Melbourne City at AAMI Park. The team flew straight to Melbourne on Wednesday and will fit in a recovery session and a light training run before what will be their third match in six days.
Corica watched the cup decider again on TV before going to bed on Tuesday night and came to the same conclusion he did the first time around.
Double delight: Craig Goodwin celebrates after scoring one of his two terrific goals in the FFA Cup final.Credit:AAP
"I thought we were the better team," he said. "Unfortunately we conceded two worldie goals and that broke us."
Wilkinson felt much the same way, saying there was little they could do to stop Craig Goodwin's terrific brace.
"I felt really comfortable out there defensively … sometimes you've just got to put your hands up and say two great goals wins the game," Wilkinson said.
"Sometimes football works in funny ways and, in my opinion, I thought we were the better team and we lost. But that's the beauty of sport. The good thing is we have a game in a couple of days to make things right and get three points down there, then we move forward."
Sydney FC won every piece of silverware available to them in the 2016-17 campaign, but have now lost their past two games on the big stage: last season's semi-final against Melbourne Victory and now the FFA Cup decider.
Wilkinson said his teammates were shattered, but keeping everything in perspective.
"There's been reports throughout the week that it's not regarded as a huge match, the FFA Cup," he said. "For us it's huge – it's a trophy. It's a great competition and one we take it very seriously from the first game we play in the season and we have done for the last three or four seasons.
"It is what it is, it's disappointing to make it all the way to the final and not bring home that trophy. But we move on now and focus on the A-League and getting the next two trophies."
There were no fresh injuries to report and Wilkinson, 34, said he felt ready to run around again on Friday night.
"All the players will tell you they'd much rather be playing games than training," he said. "It's always a good game against Melbourne City, so we're looking forward to that and will be ready to go."
Meanwhile, Corica is continuing his search for reinforcements to his squad to account for the absence of marquee Siem de Jong (hamstring) for the next five to six weeks and long-term injuries to Ben Warland (foot) and Trent Buhagiar (knee).
Former Wellington Phoenix defender Jacob Tratt and Sutherland Sharks winger Nicholas Olsen, who previously spent time in Western Sydney's youth system, will train with the first team next week and could earn injury-replacement contracts if they impress.
Sydney Olympic star Alex Sanchez is no longer training with the Sky Blues, Corica confirming he would most likely look overseas for a player to boost their striking and attacking midfield ranks.
Sydney FC still have one foreign spot remaining, but finding the right recruit will be a challenge given the transfer window is shut and leagues around the world have commenced their seasons.
"It's not great timing, but there's players out there, and some good players," Corica said. "Otherwise we'll have to wait until January."
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