Following our stalemate in Sydney, we take a look at some of the quotes and notes from the matchup, leading into the Melbourne Derby this weekend.
Quotes:
Melbourne City coach John van’t Schip
Thoughts on the match:
“It was difficult, Sydney were stronger, and they pushed more. Their full backs went higher, and we had trouble keeping the ball and winning the ball back so there were a few things that didn’t go our way (in the second half).
“In the first half I think we controlled the ball better, we played the ball from the back into the midfield better, but then again it was good to have Aaron (on the bench), that we could bring him in in the second half and have a bit more control even though it was still very up and down.
“In the first half we could have gone up 2-0, and then of course it’s a completely different game
“And yes I thought it was a penalty but of course the opinions will always be different on that one.”
On the line-up:
“We have to take into consideration that we had three boys that made their A-League debut, three youth players. And that we still have a lot of players coming back so looking at the players we had on the pitch, they are all squad members, they did a good job and deserved a point.
“It’s going to make us stronger as a group, because of the players that are not there yet, some players got a chance and an opportunity and they took it, like Wade Dekker, scoring the goal and also in the FFA cup he scored which was important. Also Espindola, and Stefan Zinni who both made their debut today are all positive signs.
“But of course we know for the whole season, in the end we need all of the players that have more experience and that we brought in to play regularly with the first team, but it’s great that those guys already have games behind them”
On Thomas Sorensen
“He hasn’t played for a long time and this was really his first important game in (quite a while),
“He did very well because in the last six weeks that he’s been with us, he came from a situation where he hasn’t had a lot of goalkeeper training.
“But he picked it up really quick and I think he had a great game, had a few important saves and was helping the team a lot.”
Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold
Thoughts on the match:
“If I compare the start this year to the start last year it’s 75% better. I think there’s about 70% improvement in us. As the game went on we got better and better, there was some real promising stuff.
“The stats show we had seven shots to their one and that was their goal which was our mistake and we pretty much dominated the game. The only time they were dangerous was when we turned over cheap possession in the middle of the park and they hit us on the break.
“I wasn’t that worried about the defence, it was only the turnover in possession. I thought young Brandon O’Neill was outstanding on Robert Koren, he kept him quiet along with Milos Dimitrijevic in midfield. We had a number of good players. I think we’re only 30%, there are no trophies given out tonight.”
On new marquee signing Filip Holosko:
“You’ve got a guy that’s come from a totally different competition, he’s got to get used to what’s around him,” Arnold said of his marquee man.
“As an attacker especially, it’s about fluency. If you’re playing around people you’re not familiar with, it’s going to take time.
“He needs to get used to the runs we want him to make. Once he got the goal and the second half, while he was out there he was very good.”
Looking ahead:
“I’m really excited about our front line. Ninkovic, he showed some absolute quality. You’ve got Brusque, Holsoko, you’ve got Shane Smeltz.
“Then there’s young George Blackwood, who I think has a hell of a future in the game and you can bring someone like Matty Simon on who can terrorise people.
“It’s an exciting front line. Defending is easy but the fluency with the ball will take time.
“In my history as a coach, we start slowish and we build into the competition. By December, January we hit our straps and come home with a wet sail.”
Notes:
- Five A-League debutants made an appearance for Melbourne City on the weekend, with Thomas Sorenson, Wade Dekker, Herman Espindola, Bruno Fornaroli all being named in the starting line-up, while Stefan Zinni was subbed into the game in the 57th minute.
- Thomas Sorenson was a star performer in goals, with a crucial save from a George Blackwood shot in the dying minutes to secure the point for City.
- Dekker capped a successful debut by scoring his maiden A-League goal in the 15th minute from a Fornaroli assist. The only other player to score on debut for Melbourne City was David Villa.
- Jason Trifiro also made his regular season debut in Melbourne City colours after being signed to the club from Western Sydney in the offseason.
- Star midfielder Aaron Mooy was named as a substitution for the match, after returning from international duty in Jordan only 12 hours before kick off.
- The 1-1 result matches the round one clash of 2014, when Melbourne City travelled to Sydney.
