A sensational late strike from Harry Novillo saw Melbourne City FC snatch a memorable 3-2 win over Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Here are the key Quotes and Notes to come out of the entertaining Round 14 clash.
Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip
Thoughts on the win against the Wanderers…
“We came up 2-0 and in that first part we played very good. We were organised but I think after 25 minutes we lost a bit of energy and couldn’t keep the ball that long anymore.
“In the second-half we couldn’t come into our game for a long period. We still had some opportunities and then we went back to the 4-3-3 with Aaron [Hughes] going out and Jason [Trifiro] coming into the midfield with two wide players and maybe that gave us the shape the boys were used to and mixed it up for [the Wanderers].
“The mentality and the character of the boys stayed good. We kept on fighting and we had some chances with Harry [Novillo] and with Bruno [Fornaroli] in the first half with his header, but they had chances as well and Thomas made a few good saves. But it was great to get the winner at the end with Harry.”
On the Wanderers’ disallowed goal…
“[The referee] clearly asked Patrick up to explain something to him and knew he didn’t allow him to get back on time. That’s the only thing I can make out of it and nothing else.”
On the team’s progress in the last six weeks…
“We’re showing progress. We’re getting stronger as a team and getting players back so we have a bit more depth. I think we’re growing as a team but still it’s all very close. The A-League is showing there is no team that is really far ahead of the other team at this moment and that’s why all the game are entertaining and good to watch.”
On the belief levels in the dressing room…
“The belief is there and they know it because we got players in that have won prizes in their career. We have quality players that are getting better and better and we have young players that are making those first steps but are improving as well.
“You see today Benny [Garuccio] playing a good game, Jacob Melling is still a young player in that aspect, as well as Jack Clisby and Pauly Retre. We have those four players that are important but on top of that we have players that are experienced and have shown in the past that they can win things, like Bruno, Ivan Franjic, Erik Paartalu, Thomas Sorensen and Harry of course had his experience from Europe.”
“Hopefully we can keep that together and hopefully we get players back like Ivan Franjic, who is important of course to make the team stronger.
On Bruno Fornaroli’s start to the season…
“We’re still half way through the season and Bruno has done fantastic and he scored again. He’s not only a goal scorer, he works hard, helps the team and gives that extra winning mentality and character to the team that we all wanted. I think he’s a player that is bringing that into the team, so I am happy for him and happy that he is playing for us.”
On the feel good factor around the Club…
“I think it’s all together because you can also see the reaction of the fans. There is a really great atmosphere in the stadium at the moment – last week, this week and during the derby. It’s important they are coming to watch us and enjoying the games, even though it’s not always an easy game.
“The players they see are having different kind of qualities and showing that. I think that is what we are here for, to try to entertain and at the moment we are doing that in a good way.
Western Sydney Wanderers Head Coach Tony Popovic
On the disallowed goal…
“I don’t think we need an explanation. [The referee] blew the whistle to play. We played and we scored. If he has blown the whistle to play then we made one mistake, we actually listened to the referee. He blew the whistle, we played and we scored, that’s it.”
On the performance…
“There are a lot of good things. We’ve had ten games unbeaten and we’re not happy that we lost. But we didn’t lose because it was a poor performance, we played very well. A bit of individual brilliance on Melbourne City’s part and credit to them for that, they scored a couple of nice goals.”
Match Referee Jarred Gillett
His explanation of the disallowed goal…
“I originally called Patrick Kisnorbo out of position to manage the original situation. After doing so I restarted playing while the assistant referee was telling me not to restart, because Kisnorbo wasn’t in position and therefore they were disadvantaged. The fair thing to do was to restart from the free kick.”
Notes
- David Williams made his 100th Hyundai A-League appearance for the Club after coming on as a 68th minute substitute against the Wanderers.
- Bruno Fornaroli continued his superb start to his maiden A-League campaign against the Wanderers, extending his lead at the top of the Golden Boot charts with a delightful 12th goal of the seasonon Saturday Night.
- Harry Novillo moved to equal third on the Golden Boot charts with a sensational double against the Wanderers. The French winger now has six goals in 10 matches this season, along with four assists.
- Midfield maestro Aaron Mooy continued to live up to his bill as one of the most frequent chance creators in the competition. The Socceroos midfielder increased his assist tally to nine with an expert pass in the lead up to Bruno Fornaroli’s goal – the most of any midfielder in the league.
- Bruno Fornaroli, Harry Novillo and Aaron Mooy have now combined for 24 goals this season, more than the total goals scored by any other Hyundai A-league team.
- The 3-2 win saw City snap Western Sydney’s 10 match unbeaten streak in the A-League and saw the Club record only its third ever win over the Wanderers.
