Fronting the media on Friday night, John Aloisi vented his frustration as well as a genuine belief that Western United can overturn a 3-0 deficit to reach the Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final.
Aloisi’s Western had their chances but were unable to convert against a side they have failed to beat in three meetings this season.
The Socceroos legend, though, remains bullish about Western’s chances heading into the return leg at the same venue on May 24.
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“I’ve been involved in a few games, I’ve been 3-0 down or 3-0 up at half-time, and won the game,” the head coach told reporters.
“The performance, there was still a lot of good to take out of that still. We had our chances. We didn’t take ours and they took theirs.
“We just have to keep believing and keep trying to perform like we have been. If we are able to score a few goals, you never know. That’s the belief we have to have.”
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“If I didn’t believe, it’s hard to convince them but I know how good they are so I can convince them,” he continued.
“But I know what it’s like to be a footballer. You’ve come off the pitch, you know it’s not a 3-0 game. You’re going to be down and it’s up to me to pick them up.”
Western United will take heart from the fact they have scored four or more goals in a game six times this season.
The return leg could be their ‘remontada’ moment. In 2017, Barcelona overturned a four-goal deficit to stun Paris Saint-Germain 6-1 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Aloisi added: “We know we can do it. That’s going to be the message to the players.
“I’ll ask them the question, how they felt out there. Did they feel they were dominated out there? I can guarantee you not one of them will say they got dominated.
“They scored off a set-piece which we were disappointed in and then they scored a world-class finish. The last goal we could’ve defended better.
“I’m sure they will be upset like I am but we have eight days now to get them believing again and try to make it a hell of a game next week.”
Western face City in the second leg of the Semi-Final tie at AAMI Park on Saturday, May 24.
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