Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has hailed his side’s composure after holding on for a breakthrough 2-1 away win over Gold Coast United which propelled the club into the top six for the first time this season.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has hailed his side-s composure after holding on for a breakthrough 2-1 away win over Gold Coast United which propelled the club into the top six for the first time this season.
Having squandered leads three times this season, Heart demonstrated a recently acquired resolve to ward away Gold Coast-s late forays and clinch a valuable three points as the Red and White commences its surge up the Hyundai A-League table.
With a match against the Central Coast Mariners, who sit two points ahead, set for next weekend, Heart is poised to mount an at one stage unlikely tilt a snatching second place on the table as the Hyundai A-League passes the quarter way mark of the season.
While the Gold Coast triumph underlined his side-s newfound strength and tenacity, van ‘t Schip was quick to admit Heart had produced better performances this season only to emerge pointless, acknowledging his side rode its luck throughout portions of the contest.
“We-ve played better games than this evening and didn-t get the points we thought we deserved. Today we got the three points in an away game, which is always important,” he said.
Having being fielded in a variety of positions this season, Matt Thompson demonstrated his extraordinary versatility once again with a virtuoso display in attacking midfield.
Although Thompson-s opening goal was impressive, sweeping home the finish following a clinical counter attack and neat work from Rutger Worm, it was the four-time Socceroo-s role in the winner which underlined his ability.
Displaying considerable composure, Thompson collected the ball on the edge of the area before assessing his options and playing a delightful lofted pass over the defence for Jonatan Germano to apply the finish.
Largely overshadowed in the wake of the 2-1 win was the absence of stars Mate Dugandzic and Aziz Behich, arguably Heart-s leading performers this season.
Poised to return from international duty, along with Jason Hoffman, in time for the regional round match against Wellington Phoenix in Morwell, Heart is well placed to continue its surge in the coming weeks as the considerable depth in van ‘t Schip-s squad comes to the fore.
