It was the moment John Aloisi could have shown the middle finger – figuratively speaking – to all the knockers and doubters.
But after scoring two crucial goals in Sydney FC’s vital 3-2 win over Perth Glory on Sunday night – setting up a tantalising final-round winner-takes-all-clash with Melbourne – the former Socceroos marksman chose decorum over a need for revenge.
No-one could really have blamed him for cutting loose at the fans who were now hailing him the messiah after burying him during a forgettable 2008/09 campaign, but as Aloisi said: “That’s football.”
“I didn’t have a good year last year probably for a few reasons but this year I worked really hard.”
“I’ve still had my ups and downs with a few minor injuries and having to wait my time for when (Mark) ‘Bridgey’ and (Alex) ‘Brosquey’ were playing well.”
“But the last few weeks I’ve been happy with the way I’ve been performing.”
“We’re a tight group, we want to win and I’m no different.”
Aloisi has scored important goals throughout his career but his double against Glory was right up there.
He grabbed Sydney’s second – albeit in controversial circumstances – before heading home Stephan Keller’s 87th-minute cross to seal a crucial victory.
The three points – and Gold Coast’s surprise loss to Wellington – sets up a mouth-watering encounter with Melbourne at the SFS next Sunday.
The Sky Blues can pinch the premiership and a place in next season’s Asian Champions League with a win over their bitter rivals.
“It’s a massive game,” Aloisi noted.
“We knew (the Perth match) was the big game because if we only got a point, next week wouldn’t count for much, we would have been playing for third place.”
“But now next week’s going to be even bigger.”
“We’re expecting a huge crowd and there’s everything to play for.”
“We can’t wait. This is what every footballer wants, to play a big game and next week will be a huge one for us.”
But despite winning back the fans with his timely return to form, Aloisi, 34, is still undecided whether to go around for another season.
“I’ll take it week by week and make sure I’m fully fit and raring to go on Sunday against Melbourne,” he said.
“I’ll worry about next year at the end of the (final) series.”
