Sydney FC striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is defying the conventional wisdom that forwards are judged solely by their goal tally. The 26-year-old, who joined the Sky Blues on loan from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell FC in February, has yet to score in his first four appearances but remains optimistic about breaking his duck soon.
Patience Key for Stamatelopoulos
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail ahead of the highly anticipated Big Blue derby against Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium this Saturday, Stamatelopoulos stressed the importance of patience. 'I wouldn't say I'm worried,' he stated. 'The boys know if they give me good service, I'll eventually put one or two chances away. I'm really enjoying my time at the club; we play an attacking style of football and work hard for one another.'
Excited for Derby Atmosphere
Stamatelopoulos expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming match, noting it coincides with the 20th anniversary of Sydney FC's supporter base, the Cove. 'I can't wait for the Victory game,' he said. 'These are the games you want to play in.' The forward highlighted the electric atmosphere expected, with fans likely to be out in force to celebrate the milestone.
Return to A-League for Game Time
When asked about his decision to return to the A-League from Scotland, Stamatelopoulos was candid. 'Purely for game time,' he explained. 'I copped a knock and couldn't get a look in when it came to starting games regularly. They (Motherwell) were good enough to send me out on loan, so I jumped at the chance to come home.'
Career Journey and Future Prospects
Born in Adelaide, Stamatelopoulos began his A-League career with Adelaide United in 2017 before moving to Western United in 2019. After stints in Greece with Rodos and PAS Giannina, he rejoined the Newcastle Jets in 2023, scoring 17 goals in 25 matches, which led to his move to Motherwell. Regarding his future, he revealed, 'There is an option for Sydney to make the loan move permanent. My wife and I are settled, and we have a baby on the way in June...so I guess we will just wait and see.'
World Cup Aspirations on Hold
With the Socceroos' World Cup squad selection looming, Stamatelopoulos acknowledged he needs to become a goal machine in the coming months to catch coach Tony Popovic's eye. However, he admitted, 'Stama' hasn't given his selection chances much thought, focusing instead on regular playing time for Sydney FC as they head into the finals.
Kick-off for the Big Blue derby is set for 7:35pm AEDT on Saturday, with tickets still available online. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter as Stamatelopoulos aims to open his account and help Sydney FC secure a vital victory.
