Boxing star Tim Tszyu to cheer on Sydney FC in vital Allianz Stadium return

Sydney FC has extra reason to land a knockout blow on Wellington Phoenix on the Sky Blues’ return to Allianz Stadium, with boxing star Tim Tszyu to be part of the crowd on Sunday..

The Sky Blues will this weekend play for the first tine at their proper home ground, which has been unavailable due to surface and drainage repairs.

“We’re looking forward to coming back to Allianz (Stadium) and hopefully turning this place into a fortress,” Sydney coach Ufuk Talay said.

Talay’s men were able to train at the venue on Wednesday, and were joined by former world boxing champion Tszyu, who showed off some his football skills as well as a few of is in-ring tricks.

“I’ll be right here on Sunday afternoon to celebrate Sydney FC’s return home to Allianz Stadium,” Tszyu said.

Depending on the result of Friday night’s clash between Melbourne City and Auckland FC, the Sydneysiders could move to the top of the A-League ladder with a win over the Phoenix.

“We can’t control the outcome of the other games, we can only control what we do,” Talay said.

“It’s very important that we win our games, and then whatever happens elsewhere, we can’t control, so we want to continue to win.

“It’s going to be a tough game against Wellington this weekend. The more we win, we don’t have to worry about what happens elsewhere.”

Talay is a former Phoenix coach, and has a special bond with current Wellington mentor, who was his assistant at the Kiwi club.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge. I know ‘Chiefy’ (Italiano) quite well. I worked with ‘Chiefy’ for a long time, and he’s like a brother to me, so I’m looking forward to seeing him on the weekend as well,” Talay said.

“The focus is on us and how we need to do it, and we’re also playing at home, so we want to come back and play some really good football.”