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By ANDREW PRENTICE, SPORT REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 15: 05 AEDT, 6 March 2026 | Updated: 15: 33 AEDT, 6 March 2026 1 View comments Strikers are often measured by the number of goals they score - but try telling that to Sydney FC star Apostolos Stamatelopoulos. The forward, 26, is yet to open his account for the Sky Blues after joining the club on loan from Scottish side Motherwell FC in February - but he is confident of finding the back of the net sooner rather than later. Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of the Big Blue this Saturday against Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium, Stamatelopoulos stressed patience is key ahead of his fifth appearance for the A-League giants. 'I wouldn't say I'm worried, the boys know if they give me good service, I'll eventually put one or two chances away, ' he said. 'I'm really enjoying my time at the club, we play an attacking style of football and work hard for one another. 'I can't wait for the Victory game, (I believe) it is the 20th anniversary of the Cove (Sydney FC supporter base) so they will be out in force. Strikers are usually measured by the number of goals they score - but try telling that to Sydney FC star Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (pictured, right) who joined the club from Motherwell in February Speaking to the Daily Mail ahead of the Big Blue this Saturday against Melbourne Victory at Allianz Stadium, Stamatelopoulos stressed patience is key as he looks to break his duck with the Sky Blues Spanish football legend Juan Mata has lit up the competition in recent months after joining Melbourne Victory from Western Sydney Wanderers 'These are the games you want to play in. ' Stamatelopoulos was honest when quizzed as to why he returned to the A-League from the Scottish Premiership. 'Purely for game time, ' he said. '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. ' Born in Adelaide, Stamatelopoulos first played for the Reds at A-League level in 2017 before joining the now-defunct Western United two years later. Stints in Greece with Rodos and PAS Giannina followed before the Newcastle Jets came calling - for a second time - in 2023. After 17 goals in 25 matches, Stamatelopoulos secured a move to Scotland, but whether he again heads overseas remains to be seen. 'There is an option for Sydney to make the loan move permanent, ' he said. '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. ' In terms of the World Cup with the Socceroos, Stamatelopoulos will need to be a goal machine over the next couple of months to force himself into Tony Popovic's squad. 'Stama' admitted he hasn't given his selection chances much thought, with his focus regular playing time for Sydney FC leading into the finals. Kick-off on Saturday night is 7: 35pm AEDT, with tickets still available online.
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