Melbourne City FC were denied the chance to jump into second place on the Hyundai A-League table after being held to a 2-2 draw by a determined Perth Glory side on Saturday. Here are the key Quotes and Notes to come out of the Round 15 clash at nib Stadium.
Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip
Thoughts on the result…
“At the end it was already 2-2 when they got ten men and it wasn’t a big part of the game. We should have been playing better at that moment. We changed a bit and got (David) Williams in playing with two wingers and a striker and Aaron in behind that, to see if we could stretch them even more.”
“We didn’t play patient enough. In the end we had good opportunities and we went up two times, but I think we gave away two cheap goals – especially the second one – and Thomas made some saves as well. It’s not that Perth didn’t create, they had a few one-on-one’s with Thomas.”
On playing at nib Stadium….
“It’s always difficult here. In the end you can say we lost two points but you have to look further than that and see it in the whole of all the games we are playing. It’s a tough trip, it was hot and going up two times it is hard to take that result. But we have to do it and have to prepare very well for the next game against Wellington.”
On the team’s style of play against the Glory…
“Especially in the second half, there were moments where we weren’t in position yet. Our wingbacks were not high enough, they were too deep and we started playing too direct into Harry Novillo, Bruno (Fornaroli) and Aaron (Mooy).
“They were up against five or six Perth players so I think we should have played a bit more patient in the build-up and get more players around them first.”
On the fitness of Thomas Sorensen…
“Thomas felt clearly some pain, so hopefully it’s nothing serious. He could continue playing of course, otherwise he would have gone off. We hope it’s just a knock and it got a bit stiff, but we have to see how it will react and then we will know more.”
On Aaron Mooy’s performance…
“I think we could have been more dangerous if we had more numbers around Aaron, Bruno and Harry. Aaron scored a goal, he had an assist for Erik (Paartalu). He’s important for the team as I always say but he’s doing his job. Today it didn’t result in what we wanted, which was the three points, but we have to move on and learn from this game.”
Perth Glory Head Coach Kenny Lowe
Thoughts on the comeback…
“The players acquitted themselves magnificently. The first half we created opportunities…I thought we were good value. [City] had opportunities as well. It was an open game and they are a great team, they play the right way. It was quite enjoyable to watch, but definitely not good to watch with 10 men.”
On Jacob Collard’s sending off…
“He’s a young kid. He’s now on his full debut more or less, you can’t get upset with him. That’s one for him to put in the bank to learn from. He’s done ever so well playing against Novillo and Fornaroli and the two kids (Collard and Aryn Williams) were magnificent.”
Notes
- Erik Paartalu’s 31st minute strike against the Glory was the midfielder’s first goal scored with his feet for the Club. All five of his previous goals were scored with his head.
- Aaron Mooy continued his stellar campaign with another man of the match performance against Perth. The Socceroos midfielder was in the thick of the action at nib Stadium, recording an assist for Erik Paartalu’s goal with a superb pass, before firing in the Club’s second goal shortly after the restart.
- City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was again impressive between the posts, making a total of seven saves against the Glory – including two crucial one-on-one from Chris Harold and Mitchell Oxborrow.
