Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip says his side isn’t afraid of any team in the competition ahead of a season defining fortnight of Hyundai A-League action.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip says his side isn-t afraid of any team in the competition ahead of a season defining fortnight of Hyundai A-League action.
The Red and White hosts Sydney FC on Saturday night in a match poised to have a decisive role in shaping the complexion of the top six this season, with Heart sitting a point clear of the Sky Blues in fifth spot on the Hyundai A-League table.
Despite the significance of Saturday-s looming encounter, Heart remains confident of extending its club record five-match unbeaten streak home, signalling a side which has become increasingly difficult to defeat.
“We’re heading into a period where we’re feeling really strong. The players are really fit, they’re physically strong, mentally strong,” van ‘t Schip said.
“We don’t have to be afraid of any team because I think with the players we have we can match up against every team in a good way.
“But I’m not thinking about who we’re going to play in the play-offs we have to focus on getting into the playoffs starting with the next game against Sydney.”
Heart-s finals ambitions though are likely to rest on its ability to begin converting scoring chances, a theme which has proven costly over the past fortnight, denying van ‘t Schip-s side victories over Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix.
Van ‘t Schip believes selfishness in the attacking third ultimately cost his side two points which would have placed it in the box seat to cement a finals berth.
“I think we should have scored more in normal play, we were too selfish or the last pass was not good enough, I think we lost ourselves two points today,” van ‘t Schip said.
“We had a lot of opportunities, we created a lot of play, we could have scored more but the only goal we made was actually from a set piece.”
“We were too selfish, that was just not enough, we all know that, it’s costing us the two points we needed to be more sure of going into the playoffs. We still have it in our own hands but we must win next week.”
