Following Melbourne City FC’s comprehensive victory over Heidelberg United on Tuesday night, we have a look at some of the key Quotes and Notes as the Club secured its spot in the Semi Final of the Westfield FFA Cup 2015.
Quotes
Melbourne City FC coach John van’t Schip
Thoughts on the win…
“We had some moments that we wouldn’t like to have of course, but you always know that against any opponent of a decent level you are going to get chances against you, and that happened.
“Looking at the first half we had the better chances and going up 1-0 very quickly we should have finished it off before they had their biggest chance.
“You know before you get the second goal it is still on. It’s tricky but the boys did well in the second half. We knew the longer the game went on they would run out of fuel and we opened up the game and it is important to score that second goal.
On preparation for Round 1 of the A-League against Sydney…
“These are the games that you want. Heidelberg did a great job in hosting us this evening, it was perfect and a lot of people showed up.”
“We are happy to still be a part of the FFA Cup heading into the final stage but these are the games you want to have before the season starts because there is something you have to play for. The boys are focused so we are more than happy with these kind of games.”
On Aaron Mooy, Robi Koren and Bruno Fornaroli…
“Aaron just continues on what he showed last year. In the game against Edgeworth Eagles he was very important of course. I am happy for him and for the team.
“Also Bruno scoring two goals, Robi Koren getting in scoring positions – unfortunately he didn’t score but he showed some good work. I’m happy for that, the boys get 90 minutes under their belt and we are looking forward to the season opener against Sydney FC.
On the FFA Cup Semi Final…
“I think for every team involved it is a priority. In this kind of league we don’t have many games and the season is not that long. You have to take every opportunity to try and win prizes.
“I think every team wants to do that and win and we will not take it as a game in between. It is going to be a game that we want to win and we want to play the final.”
Heidelberg United coach George Katsakis
On the performance…
“I think the early goal probably set the pace for us. We didn’t want to go into a game with that sort of start. We spoke about not conceding early and within a couple of minutes you are 1-0 down.
“But credit to the boys because I thought the next half an hour, once we got into the tempo and created a bit of rhythm I thought we were very good. If we take that chance towards the end of the first half where the keeper pulled off a great save, it could have been a different ball game at 1-1.”
“Nevertheless I think the tempo, the pace, the professionalism and the full-time experience showed today and they were definitely the better team.
On playing in the FFA Cup during the off-season…
“I think the three week break for us had something to do with it because they are prepping up for the start of their season. They are probably working at a much different pace than us and are having consecutive games every second day.
“We’ve had to find an opponent and two the tempo and the intensity at training you have to make it very real.”
“I think it might be a little hard for an NPL team to go on with it and play in a final.”
On the massive Olympic Village crowd…
“What can I say, I had to applaud it when I heard it. Having been born and bred at this place I haven’t seen anything like it for a long time. I was overwhelmed and I’m sure the boys were overwhelmed.”
“The board and everyone else who put this together, we need to be proud as a club today. We may have been beaten on the park but in general football terms and in the community we have made ourselves very proud.”
“When we walked out at 8pm for the kick-off, I was beside myself so it was fantastic.”
Notes
- After netting his first hat-trick for the Club, Aaron Mooy has now scored six goals in the FFA cup, leading the tournament’s scoring charts ahead of Hume City’s Marcus Schroen (4).
- Mooy’s treble is the first time a Melbourne City FC player has scored a hat-trick in the Westfield FFA Cup.
- Bruno Fornaroli continued his impressive goal-scoring streak, netting a brace against Heidelberg to take his tally to three goals in his first two competitive matches.
- With the win, Melbourne City FC are within touching distance of a first FFA Cup success, reaching the Semi Finals of the tournament for the very first time.
- City have also netted five goals for the second successive FFA Cup match, after beating the Wellington Phoenix 5-1 in the Round of 16.
- It was a memorable night for youth team product Hernan Espindola, who made his first competitive start for the Club since joining the first-team on an injury replacement contract.
- City maintained their impressive form against National Premier Leagues opponents, with the win against Heidelberg adding to emphatic victories against North Geelong Warriors and Oakleigh Cannons during the pre-season.
