Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has predicted an open race to the Hyundai A-League Championship on the eve of the final round of the regular season.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has predicted an open race to the Hyundai A-League Championship on the eve of the final round of the regular season.
The Red and White will wrap up its home and away commitments with a clash against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight, looking to extend its unbeaten streak ahead of a gruelling trip to Perth or Wellington.
Hailed as the most even season on record, competition front runners Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar haven-t been immune from fluctuations in form, each suffering a poor run of results at one stage or another during the campaign.
Indeed, Heart is unbeaten in three outings against the Roar this season, while it has undoubtedly been unlucky to snare just a solitary victory in its match-ups with the Central Coast Mariners.
With this in mind, van ‘t Schip believes he isn-t alone among Hyundai A-League coaches in sensing any team in the top six is capable of lifting the Championship trophy at season-s end.
“I think that’s how all the teams feel,” van ‘t Schip said.
“Teams have beaten each other all season so the moment the playoffs start every team has a chance again.”
Despite boasting one of the youngest, and therefore inexperienced sides in the competition, van ‘t Schip believes the composition of his outfit makes it a particularly dangerous opponent for title rivals.
“I believe there is a good mix in our team and the younger players are playing quite regularly and we have to make the next step,” he said.
“We have all the ingredients – we are fit and mentally we are good, but it also comes down to team discipline, to keep playing to the game plan.
“The moment two or three players start doing things differently that’s when things often get out of shape.”
