Sydney Braced for Tough Night Against Saprissa
Goalkeeper Clint Bolton believes he will be in for a busy time when Sydney FC takes on Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Championships in Japan on Monday night.

Sydney's players and coaching staff have been busy doing their research on the CONCACAF champions in the knowledge that a win could set up a semi-final match against European champions Liverpool,

"For me it is easier to prepare for a game and focus on a game when I know it is going to be busy for me," Bolton said in a statement released by Sydney.

"We have seen vision of them (Deportivo Saprissa) playing and they look very fast and very good so I know they will create chances and I will have to be alert for the full 90 minutes."

"There is no doubt we are underdogs but we are determined to give it our best shot and do Sydney FC and Australia proud."

Coach Pierre Littbarski hinted that Sydney FC would be playing a counter-attacking style against Deportivo Saprissa as he looks to seal the date with Liverpool.

"I think we have to be careful because they are very fast, especially in the midfield," Littbarski said.

"We will be concentrating on our defence and then try to get a goal if we can. Maybe the counterattack will be the best way for us to punish them as we can't commit too much forward."

Star striker Dwight Yorke said Sydney were taking their role as ambassadors for Australian football seriously.

"We're not in Japan to make up the numbers, we are going there to win football games and that starts with the first game against Deportivo Saprissa," he warned.

"We've a strong desire to do well and a fighting spirit we believe will help us to do well. We're here to do the best for ourselves, Sydney FC and for Australian football."