Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi is hoping to use last week’s inspirational three-goal second half as a platform to relaunch the Red and White’s season against the Western Sydney Wanderers tomorrow.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John Aloisi is hoping to use last week-s inspirational three-goal second half as a platform to relaunch the Red and White-s season against the Western Sydney Wanderers tomorrow.
Aloisi-s side turned around a 2-0 deficit to claim a 3-3 draw against Adelaide United at AAMI Park last Sunday and will look to use momentum from that performance against a Wanderers side smarting from two matches without a win.
Melbourne Heart will also head to Pirtek Stadium seeking revenge for the side-s 0-1 loss at AAMI Park in Round 5 against the Wanderers – and Aloisi is eager to return home to Melbourne with all three points.
One of the form teams of the competition – despite recording a loss at the hands of Brisbane Roar and a draw with Wellington Phoenix in its past two matches – the Wanderers currently sit second on the ladder and are unbeaten at home at Pirtek this season.
“We know that it is going to be tough, we know that Western Sydney are good at home,” Aloisi said at Tullamarine Airport today.
“But that second half [of Sunday-s game against Adelaide] has given everyone a boost that we can turn things around and we are looking at that as a platform.
“We are hoping that that is going to turn the season around for us and we won-t be happy going there and not getting a result.”
Aloisi said his team had demonstrated its ability against the Wanderers in Round 5, but needed to make the most of its chances tomorrow evening.
“It was a tough game when we played them [in Round 5],” Aloisi said.
“We thought that we played very well against them but we didn-t get anything out of the game so we want to make sure that we perform well and get something out of it.
“We know the way they play they are a good side; they are well coached, they are tough to beat, tough to break down but we are confident that we can do that and score some goals and make sure we are defensively strong, which we haven-t been over the last three weeks.”
Defender Robbie Wielaert said yesterday the side would not fear the Wanderers, despite the likelihood of a hostile reception in Parramatta, and Aloisi reiterated that message to his players throughout the week.
“My message to the boys this week was about preparing for the game, about showing bravery and being fearless and not being low on confidence… and taking the game to Western Sydney,” Aloisi said.
Aloisi pinpointed Shinji Ono and Youssouf Hersi as the Wanderers- danger men, while captain Harry Kewell could play a part for the Red and White.
“[Harry] trained today and we will see how he goes tomorrow and if he pulls up alright he will be in the squad,” Aloisi said.
“We are hoping that he will be OK and we can put him on the bench and hopefully he can play a part but if he doesn-t feel good we will have to leave it and hopefully [he will be fit] for next week.
“At the moment we are confident that he will be able to be in the squad.”
