Bolton in the firing line

Sydney FC goalkeeper Clint Bolton believes he will be in for a busy time when his team mates take on CONCACAF Champions Deportivo Saprissa in the opening match of the FIFA Club World Championships on Monday night.

But the fringe Socceroo stated it is the busy nights that helps him to stay focused when he takes the pitch.

“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.

“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.”

The 30-year-old also admitted he was using the CWC tournament as a way to impress Australian Coach Guus Hiddink as he strives to force his way back into the Socceroo squad for the World Cup.

Bolton was part of the Australian Team for the match against South Africa earlier this year and was a stand by goalkeeper for the World Cup qualifiers against the Solomon Islands and Uruguay.

“This is a big stage and it is a huge opportunity for a few of us who have been close to the National Team to stake a claim and put our hands up for the World Cup,” Bolton said.

“Performing in this tournament would show what we are capable of on the world stage in the big games.”

Coach Pierre Littbarski also hinted Sydney FC would be playing a counter-attacking style against Deportivo Saprissa as he looks to plot a path to a semi final clash with Liverpool.

The Sydney FC coach has been taking his players through a series of video sessions, analyzing Deportivo Saprissa over the past two days.

“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 counter attack will be the best way for us to punish them as we can’t commit too much forward.”

Sydney FC takes on Deportivo Saprissa at Toyota Stadium, Nagoya at 7:20pm (9:20pm Sydney time) on Monday night with Fox Sports showing the match LIVE, starting with a pre-match show at 9pm.

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