Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip says his side will enter Sunday’s important clash with Wellington Phoenix with an air of confidence as they prepare for the final 270.
With only three matches left of the regular season, both sides will have it all to play for with the Phoenix still fighting it out for the Premiers Plate and Melbourne City playing for a place in the finals, and van’t Schip is fully aware of the magnitude of the Club’s final home match.
“Every game is a big one now, that’s why we’ve started with the final 450 and now it’s the final 270 and it’s true, because they are all big games,” van’t Schip said.
“For us now, we have to take every game as it comes and that’s the same with Wellington,
“The most important thing is to lock our place in the finals and we haven’t got that secured yet, so it’s important that we win against Wellington.”
van’t Schip’s men have collected 10 out of a possible 12 points in the last month in contrast to this week’s opponent, who are coming off two home losses but the Dutchman is fully aware of the threat the Phoenix present.
“Looking at the way they played over the past weeks, they still played their fluid game, playing balls in between lines, and still had a lot of opportunities,” van’t Schip said.
“Things didn’t go their way but we know they are a very good footballing team and we have to have our game plan spot on to get a result,
“We’re in the last part of the season, every game has its own story and this game will be a game that’s going to have its own story as well,
“We have a lot of confidence, we’ve grown as a team and we’re defensively strong and we can score goals so I think that’s going to be an interesting game because Wellington want to prove something after their two losses at home.”
Melbourne City FC’s home form on the other hand has seen the side undefeated since November last year and van’t Schip says his side are ready to perform in front of its home support.
“We’d like to show the fans a good game and a match that we can be proud of the team and also hope for more to come in the finals,” van’t Schip said.
“We’re happy with the results at home, we’re growing as a team but now we have to focus on Sunday. It’s another test and I’m confident that the boys are going to be up for it and prepared to give everything they have.”
Melbourne City FC face Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Sunday, kick-off 5pm. Secure your place at Sunday’s final home match here.
