Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has revealed a subtle variation in his side’s game plan was the catalyst behind the Club’s first ever triumph over the Central Coast Mariners.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has revealed a subtle variation in his side-s game plan was the catalyst behind the Club-s first ever triumph over the Central Coast Mariners.
The Gosford-team has played the role of ‘bogey side- for much of Heart-s existence, with the teams- first ever encounter, a 1-0 Central Coast triumph which also marked the Red and White-s Hyundai A-League debut, setting the tone for future encounters.
While Heart has twice come close to breaking its duck against the Mariners earlier this season, producing strong displays that were ultimately unrewarded, yesterday-s breakthrough couldn-t have arrived at a more ideal time for the Red and White.
Van ‘t Schip admitted it was a change in the Club-s usual possession based approach which triggered the result, as Heart forced the Central Coast to take charge of the play and dictate terms away from home.
“We had a different kind of game plan, we told them to have the ball more,” he said.
“(It-s) maybe not what we’re used to do but after playing Central Coast who we haven-t defeated previously, we just did it a little bit different.
“Our approach wasn-t what you are used to seeing but for us now it was important for us to get the points and I think that was the most important thing today.”
Following Heart-s triumph over the Mariners, the side has consolidated fifth spot on the table while reigniting the battle for a home final.
With Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory now within touching distance, Heart can once again have designs on hosting a finals series match at AAMI Park.
However, as the Roar lurks as Heart-s opponent in the coming days, van ‘t Schip has preached vigilance, urging his charges to not lose its focus ahead of the side-s encounter with the competition-s form side.
“The most important thing is to look ahead now – Brisbane now is a very difficult game,” he said.
“They are back in there best way of playing and it’s going to be a hard game up there, so I’m not going to count.”
