Melbourne City FC broke its Gosford hoodoo on Thursday night with a comprehensive 5-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners. Here are the key Quotes and Notes to come out of the contest.
Quotes
Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip
Thoughts on the Club’s second five-goal haul in two games…
“We respect every opponent and also Central Coast. In the end, 5-1 didn’t look like that to be honest in the first 25 minutes.”
“We had chances, they had in the beginning two very good chances. One out of the mistake from Thomas – the goal kick – and one to Austin coming through and giving ball square to O’Donovan, and Thomas made a very good save there.
“From that we made the first goal with Harry, and before that we had our opportunities as well with Bruno having a chance and some play where we were a bit sloppy in the final third.
“I think the first 25, we were a bit shaky. After that at 1-0 and 2-0, it became easier and of course the first goal was important after the break.”
On the team’s confidence levels…
“I think it’s always important to have a win. We had some good moments in both games against Perth and Central Coast Mariners. Of course the two 5-1 results are massive for the confidence.”
“We also know that we have a lot of things that we still have to work on. That brings me back to the first 25 minutes and also the first half against Perth, where we gave away too much opportunities for them. But happy of course with the result and the score.”
On the partnership between Bruno Fornaroli and Harry Novillo…
“Harry showed already last year that he has great qualities and he’s getting his fitness back more and more now. In the beginning we had to play him like we were doing with Corey; unfortunately Corey missed out again.”
“Harry made another step today. Bruno has been from the start important for us and keeps on doing well. The combinations between those two and Aaron [Mooy], and also with Stefan Mauk – I think he played a very good game – was good.”
On the Mariners’ man-marking of Aaron Mooy…
“It shows that if they want to man mark Aaron Mooy, that other players get more space. Bruno was a lot of the time available because Aaron took away his man and we could have a pass line early on to Bruno, and Harry got more freedom because of that.”
“Aaron has to understand that it’s a learning process also for him. He’s been very good the last games and also last season and it is normal that you can have a drop in a game.
“And still you see even then he’s important with his presence and still making the goal. He had a very emotional and nice week with the birth of his daughter. It happens a lot with him at the moment and we should not underestimate that now.”
On continuing the winning momentum…
“The next game is Newcastle away, and that’s another one if we are coming back into the positions which are giving you a view to the top.”
“If you want to stay there, you have to continue getting good results. I think we understand this is the start and we have to continue getting good results and improving.”
Central Coast Mariners Head Coach Tony Walmsley
On the performance…
“The [players] will be shattered now. I’ve got players coming off knowing in key moments, we needed to do better. We know that and there’s no point beating them up about it.”
“We put some demands on them before the game and they raised the bar compared to last week and put in a great first half performance, but came in 2-0 down.”
“Credit to [Melbourne City]. They’ve got players that when given opportunities, can hurt you, and they did that. Credit to John, two 5-1 wins on the bounce. It’s great for Melbourne City, not so good for Central Coast Mariners.”
On Harry Ascroft’s battle with Aaron Mooy…
“We said to Harry Ascroft today: Look, Aaron Mooy is the best player in the league in the moment statistically. Everybody says anecdotally he’s the best player in the league and he’s going places, and we all know what a great player he is.”
“His task was to make his life difficult today and before he fatigued, he was doing a fantastic job.”
Notes
- With the 5-1 win over the Mariners, Melbourne City FC became the first club in Hyundai A-League history to score five goals in consecutive matches.
- The win also saw the Club break its Gosford hoodoo, registering its first ever away victory against Central Coast.
- Bruno Fornaroli remains at the top of the Hyundai A-League goal-scoring charts, extending his tally to seven goals with his sensational strike against Central Coast.
- City comfortably leads the competition in most goals scored with 23, a whopping nine more than any other team. Eleven of those goals have come in the Club’s last three matches.
- Harry Novillo was back to his scintillating best with a superb double against the Mariners. The Frenchman has now netted four goals in his past three Hyundai A-League matches.
- City defender Connor Chapman brought up his 50th career Hyundai A-League appearance against the Mariners on Thursday, and has made the fourth most defensive clearances in the league (36).
