Melbourne Heart FC winger David Williams is itching to soak up the derby atmosphere this Saturday and repeat his round one performance against Heart’s fierce city rival.
Melbourne Heart FC winger David Williams is itching to soak up the derby atmosphere this Saturday and repeat his round one performance against Heart’s fierce city rival Melbourne Victory – this time at AAMI Park.
Williams was one of Heart’s goal scoring heroes against the Victory in the season opener at Etihad Stadium back on October 5, alongside match-winner Dylan Macallister and labelled the atmosphere in round one as ‘incredible’.
But Williams believes this Saturday night’s clash will be even more electric as Heart hosts Victory in front of a sea of passionate fans, in what is expected to be a sell-out at AAMI Park.
With the derby atmosphere one of the key talking points, Williams has pinpointed this round 12 clash as one of the most important games of the season.
“It-s probably the most important [game to] win,” Williams said.
“It-s a big build up and there-s a lot of talk about it.
“This could kick off our season; we-re over a third of the way into it but we really need a big win to get us through – especially over the Christmas period.
“It-s very busy [period] so I think if we get the three points here we will continue on and have good form.”
While Williams believes both teams are guaranteed to come out guns blazing, Heart’s number 15 believes the team who wins the encounter will be the side who leaves nothing behind.
“It-s going to be either we win or we don-t,” Williams said.
“I don-t think a draw is going to be good enough. We need to come off the field knowing we gave 100 per cent.
“I think if we get the 3 points here we-ll continue on and have good form.”
Williams went through his paces in a typically fast-paced and physical conditioning session earlier this afternoon, which the Heart winger believes will see the team in good stead against their rivals.
“[The training session was] very physical and very tough, but that-s what we need before the game on,” Williams said.
“We-ll just come out firing I know that.”
The derby is one of the biggest occasions on the A-league calendar and Williams expects derby number eight to topple this season’s earlier version.
After scoring the opening goal of the season in that match, Williams said he is looking forward to reliving the intense atmosphere.
“It-s unbelievable. It-s a great feeling, especially in front of that many people,” Williams said.
“At AAMI Park it-s going to be a different atmosphere, it-s going to be better I think than Etihad.”
Williams said he expects the clash to be high intensity, irrespective of either side-s form leading up to the match.
“For them, no matter what they still play out, so even if it-s not working for them they still play out. We do have our game plan and we-ll stick to that and we know we will get chances from it.”
