Melbourne Heart FC may have designs on advancing beyond week one of the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, but captain Fred has urged his team mates to take its campaign one week at a time.
Melbourne Heart FC may have designs on advancing beyond week one of the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, but captain Fred has urged his team mates to take its campaign one week at a time.
The midfield maestro has been a pivotal cog in Heart-s run to the playoffs, emerging as arguably the side-s most influential figure.
Indeed, such has been Fred-s influence; Heart hasn-t lost match featuring the Brazilian for four months, remarkable by any account.
Ever eager to defer attention and praise to his colleagues, Fred has revelled in his role as on-field leader this season, proving prophetic goalkeeper Clint Bolton-s prediction the armband would sit ‘lightly- on his arm.
But despite his humble nature and disarming disposition, beneath the surface lies a driven individual, with an insatiable thirst for success.
Speaking at Heart-s finals farewell on the steps of Victoria-s Parliament, Fred warned his side to avoid steering its gaze beyond Sunday-s clash with Perth Glory, focusing on the challenge immediately lying ahead.
“We have to think about Perth first. It’s one step, each step,” he said. “We have to concentrate. If we play good, we can beat them there.”
Having claimed the Hyundai A-League crown in his only trip to the Finals Series, Fred understands the pressure of knockout football, and what it takes to succeed, better than most.
His experience will prove invaluable as many of Heart-s youngsters seek to make their mark during a Finals Series for the first time.
“It will be difficult and everyone knows finals are always difficult, but everyone is focused on what we want to do,” he said.
“The younger boys are more experienced now too and I think they know what they have to do.
“In finals you have to change your mindset and concentrate a bit more, but we just have to be 100 percent and try and win the game.
