Sydney head coach Ukuk Talay says Tuesday’s catch-up game with Auckland FC could be season-defining for the men’s A-League side.
“I think it’s a massive game for us,” Talay said.
“It’s the game in hand that we have and I think the table will level out, so it’s very important we need to pick up all three points against good opposition.”
The match is a rescheduled Round 10 fixture, called off in December when Leichhardt Oval was deemed unsafe and unplayable.
READ MORE: Leichhardt Oval to host postponed Auckland FC’s match against Sydney >>>>
But Talay is happy Tuesday’s game will be at the old ground, rather than the club’s new home at Allianz Stadium.
“We’ve had one good result at Allianz (Stadium), with Wanderers; we’ve got Leichhardt with this one.
“Leichhardt has been good to us this season thus far, and we’re hoping that continues the same way.
Talay said Leichhardt Oval would provide a better playing surface than Allianz Stadium where his side lost 2-1 to Adelaide United on Saturday.
“Having three shades of grass on the pitch … the pitch was quite heavy for the players, which made it definitely challenging for both teams,” he said of Saturday’s match.
“There are some things we can’t control. What we can control is the football and the performance we put on out there.”
A win against Auckland FC will draw Sydney level on points, with both sides five points behind league leaders Newcastle Jets.
A loss will increase the gap between Auckland FC and Sydney to six points.
“This is a really defining game for us in the season,” Talay said.
“It’s very important that we perform well and pick up all three points and stay close to the guys that are just above us.”
Talay said he had to decide whether to start new signings Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Ahmet Arslan after both came off the bench against Adelaide.
Australian international striker Stamatelopoulos and attacking midfielder Arslan had recovered well after their debuts.
“The great thing is we got minutes in (their) legs. That’s a great positive and we’ll see what decision we make on the starting team against Auckland.”
Talay confirmed another Socceroos forward, Al Hassan Toure, was available after missing six games with a calf problem.
Of Auckland FC, Talay said they were a good side.
“They work hard together as a unit, so we need to match them for their intensity … and we have the moments to play to be brave and play through the lines.”
How to watch
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand.
Fixture
Game to be played on Tuesday February 17, 2026
Sydney v Auckland FC
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, 9pm (NZT)
Men’s A-League
| Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Jets | 17 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 29 | 11 | 33 |
| Auckland FC | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 28 |
| Adelaide United | 17 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 28 | 27 | 1 | 26 |
| Sydney | 16 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 25 |
| Macarthur | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 25 |
| Melbourne Victory | 17 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 24 |
| Melbourne City | 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 22 |
| Brisbane Roar | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 23 | -5 | 22 |
| Perth Glory | 17 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 21 | 25 | -4 | 20 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 28 | 33 | -5 | 20 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 19 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 17 |
Table at 6am (NZT) on Tuesday February 17, 2026.
Squads
Sydney (two to be omitted)
5. Alex Grant, 6. Corey Hollman, 7. Piero Quispe, 9. Victor Campuzano, 10. Joe Lolley, 12. Harrison Devenish-Meares (Gk), 13. Pat Wood, 17. Ben Garuccio, 20. Tiago Quintal, 22. Mathias Macallister, 23. Rhyan Grant (captain), 24. Paul Okon Jnr, 30. Alexander Zaverdinos (Gk), 32. Marcel Tisserand, 35. Al Hassan Toure, 36. Rhys Youlley, 41. Alexandar Popovic, 44. Akol Akon, 70. Ahmet Arslan, 80. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
In: 13. Pat Wood (return to squad), 35. Al Hassan Toure (returns from injury).
Out: None
Unavailable: 1. Gus Hoefsloot (wrist), 11. Abel Walatee (groin)
Auckland FC
1. Michael Woud, 2. Hiroki Sakai, 3. Jake Girdwood-Reich, 4. Nando Pijnaker, 6. Louis Verstraete, 7. Cameron Howieson, 8. Felipe Gallegos, 9. Sam Cosgrove, 10. Guillermo May, 11. Marlee François, 12. Jimmy Hilton, 15. Francis de Vries, 17. Callan Elliot, 19. Oliver Middleton, 21. Jesse Randall, 22. Jake Brimmer, 23. Dan Hall, 27. Logan Rogerson, 35. Jonty Bidois, 77. Lachlan Brook.
In: Nil.
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: 20. Oli Sail
Officials
Referee: Daniel Elder.
Assistant referees: Daniel Ilievski, Luke Gennimatas.
Fourth official: Nathan Shakespear.
VAR: Kearney Robinson.
Assistant VAR: Sam Kelly.
This story was first published on February 17, 2026.
