Del Piero backs new Sydney FC coach

SYDNEY (AP) -Alessandro Del Piero has backed incoming coach Frank Farina to end the four-game losing streak that has plunged Sydney FC to the bottom of Australian football's A-League.

Former Juventus star Del Piero says ex-Australia coach Farina will bring "passion and knowledge'' to the club and "do everything he can'' to stem Sydney's losing streak.

Farina will join Sydney FC on Friday, two days ahead of its ninth-round match against the Melbourne Heart. He takes over from Ian Crook, who resigned after Sydney's poor start to the A-League season.

Del Piero said Farina would receive a warm welcome from the players as he tries to improve Sydney's record of two wins from eight games.