I'm back and I'm here for the trophy: Kisel

Karol Kisel returns to Sydney FC after a year with Slavia Prague and chats to The Football Sack’s Michal Roucek.

I sit ready to interview returning Sydney FC midfielder Karol Kisel. The last time I spoke to him was in Prague at the Synot Tip Arena in Slavia Prague’s first hit out of the Czech Gambrinus Liga 2010/2011 season against cross-town rivals Bohemians 1905.

Credit: Nick Guoth

Since that match, in which Kisel scored for Slavia in their 1-1 draw with the “Kangaroos of Vršovice”, the club went on to face tremendous financial difficulties. Indeed players were not paid wages for five months and with Kisel finishing his law degree but not quite ready to hang up the boots, the Slovak international’s path lead to the harbour city once more.

To many, the exodus of players at Sydney FC following their winning of the Hyundai A-League double in the 2009/2010 was no clearer exemplified by the loss of Kisel. While many highly rated Socceroos came and left the club, “Karlik’s” influence on the spine of the team was incisive and compelling.

Kisel had that uncanny ability to make decisive contributions in big games and that is something Sky Blue fans remember fondly.

While most will point to that goal on Valentines’ Day against rivals Melbourne Victory at the Randwick End which helped Sydney win the Hyundai A-League Premiership as Kisel’s greatest contribution, it was his winning mentality which was most valuable to the club during that golden season for the Sky Blues.

“That [goal] is a really good memory. Great memories are fine, but the team goals and mine are the same. We want to win the league again. I love [the] important games.”

Kisel was quick to impress upon me his deep and enduring respect in the leadership group at Moore Park Road and the qualities they bring to the club. Kisel’s desire to once again link up with club captain Terry McFlynn and marquee Nicky Carle in the midfield and to nurture and develop the dynamic at the club again is palpable.

“I’m happy to play with Tezza [McFlynn] again or with Nicky Carle. Tezza is a great player and a great leader. Somebody that I look up to”.

“But the most important thing at Sydney FC is not the players. It’s the team. There are a lot of new players here. We need to build the team and our game. It’s a big challenge.”

The combination that is likely to yield the most for the club this season is the partnership between Kisel and Head Coach Vítězslav Lavička. Wherever the pair have linked up they have brought silverware. The 34 year old veteran sees this as a key ingredient for success.

“I know he is an excellent coach. Last season wasn’t pretty but I can remember lifting the cup and that’s what I’m waiting to do again this year.”

“We don’t want to be in fifth or sixth place we’re looking to win the Grand Final. That’s our goal.

“The team is completely different now. There is plenty to do and we need to work hard. But that’s what I love.

Winning the Czech Gambrinus Liga in 2006/07 and a hat trick of Czech Republic Cups between 2006-2008, Kisel’s preference to win brought Sydney FC a great deal of success. However Kisel also spoke of his love of the city of as an important factor in his decision to return to Moore Park Road.

“I am always saying Prague and Sydney are the most beautiful cities in the world, and I need a [good] lifestyle to be happy. Without a good lifestyle I cannot play and Sydney has this definitely."

Kisel has been in good recent scoring form for SK Slavia Prague scoring 7 goals from midfield in 27 appearances.

Sydney FC enter their pre-season with matches against NSW Premier League and Super League clubs St George FC, Parramatta FC, Bankstown Lions and Sutherland Sharks.

Sydney FC fans will be hopeful of a return to winning ways when the Hyundai A-League commences on Saturday 8 October away to Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.