Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip says his side could create its own slice of Club history on Wednesday as they embark on their maiden FFA Cup Semi Final.
City see a short turn around from Saturday’s dissapointing Melbourne Derby loss but the Dutchman says their sole focus is qualifying for the cup final before thinking about the prospect of playing in front of a home crowd in Melbourne.
“It’ll be massive. In our short history, it’d be a great achievement so there’s not doubt it’s going to be an achievement if we make the final,” van’t Schip said.
“It’s a Semi Final and you have play to win and not think too much about what’s happening if and after the event. Our goal is to go there and get a result that will see us reach the final.
“For the club, it could be something special but getting into the final is a goal. Travelling up to Perth, knowing we’re playing a team that lost their last two games, we know they will be wanting to give something to their fans and they were the finalists last year so they’re experienced in the cup. It’s a great opportunity.”
van’t Schip confirmed that a raft of players that weren’t involved in Saturday’s Melbourne Derby will travel to Perth for the match however Corey Gameiro will miss the chance to make his City debut after serving a suspension from his last FFA Cup outing with Sydney FC.
“Players are coming back,” van’t Schip said.
“Looking at how players pulled up after the game, that’s how we’re going to choose our side. The ones that are going on the pitch are going to be fit and ready to go.
“Tando is going to play, he’s going to play the cup games and Thomas will be on the bench.
“In the end, you have to deal with injuries and suspension over the whole season, but hopefully in the coming weeks, we can get rid of a lot of them and then we will have our top players available a bit further along.”
But van’t Schip admitted the Derby loss will spur his side on this Wednesday, saying the team will need to learn from the mistakes they made in the first half.
“There has to be an absolute will to win,” van’t Schip said.
“It’s one-off game, so it’s something that (you need to be switched on) mentally.
“You have to be there from the first minute to play and show the qualities you have as a team and I think if we do that, we have a good chance to get a result.
Melbourne City are back at AAMI Park this weekend for their first home match of the season as they take on Central Coast Mariners this Sunday, kick-off 5pm. Sunday will be our first A-League/W-League double header so head down to AAMI Park early to see the first Womens Melbourne Derby, kick-off 2pm. Get your tickets now!
