Just days after top spot on the Hyundai A-League table appeared within reach, Melbourne Heart FC head coach John van ‘t Schip says his side remains a work in progress following a 1-1 draw with Gold Coast United at Skilled Park.
Just days after top spot on the Hyundai A-League table appeared within reach, Melbourne Heart FC head coach John van ‘t Schip says his side remains a work in progress following a 1-1 draw with Gold Coast United at Skilled Park.
Opening the scoring through Kristian Sarkies after only seven minutes, Heart entered the half time break on course to return to its winning ways following a midweek stumble against Adelaide United.
But a revitalised Gold Coast outfit took control of the contest in the second half, as Maceo Rigters found the back of the net to snare a share of the points for the home side.
The performance and ensuing result prompted van ‘t Schip to declare Heart behind league front runners Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar as contenders for the Hyundai A-League title, for now.
“We’re not (as far along) as Brisbane, as Central Coast,” he said.
“They’re far more steady teams, and they’re clearly playing better that the moment – even Brisbane had their bad period but they’re still the best playing team in the league.”
“Central Coast is just very functional, good in every department and getting better.”
Van ‘t Schip believes Heart needs to develop greater confidence in possession and beginning dictating the tempo of contests if it wishes to take the next step and challenge the Hyundai A-League-s establishment during the latter part of the season.
“We’re not that far yet. We’re making steps. We have to learn to keep the ball longer, have more possession so we can take more breaths,” he said.
“We want to control the game. We want to develop young players but you can’t expect them to read a game together and play at the right moments, so that’s the next step we have to make.”
