Melbourne Heart FC defender Dean Heffernan believes the side was unlucky not to secure victory during its recent trip to Wellington
Melbourne Heart FC defender Dean Heffernan believes the side was unlucky not to secure victory during its recent trip to Wellington.
Despite conceding inside the opening 10 minutes, Heart bounced back through goals from Matt Thompson and John Aloisi to enter the break in front.
However, a freak equaliser by Leo Bertos put pay to Heart-s ambition of ending the Phoenix-s 23-match unbeaten streak at Westpac Stadium, ensuring the side-s shared the points.
Heffernan said the team performed well to respond to the early set back and work its way back into the contest.
“It was a fantastic result. We probably felt we could have come away with the three points, but to go over there, get a draw and come back from 1-0 down in the conditions, we did quite well,” he said.
While Heffernan acknowledged the team had discussed the potential of Wellington-s notorious weather to be a factor heading into the contest, he said the team refused to use the changeable conditions as an excuse.
“Tthat is what you have to deal with when you go to Wellington. Leading up to the game, we said we weren-t going to worry about the conditions, in the end, it-s on us,” he said.
“We just worry about ourselves and play the football that we know can.”
Much of the attention post-game though has focused on Thompson-s goal of the year contender after the former Newcastle Jet turned past two players inside the box before caressing a shot past Mark Paston in the Phoenix goal.
Heffernan believes the goal was merely an example of Thompson-s immense ability and versatility, given he was fielded in central defence only a week earlier during the Melbourne Derby.
“It was a cracker wasn-t it. That is what ‘Thommo- is capable of, put him centre back, put him at striker, and these are the things he will do for us,” he said.
