Maria Jose Rojas backed Melbourne City’s star-studded attack to click ahead of a blockbuster clash with potential Liberty A-League premiers Sydney FC.
City have welcomed back Rojas from international duty and Matildas young gun Holly McNamara from her ACL tear but have struggled to get the pair to combine successfully with Hannah Wilkinson and Bryleeh Henry.
“Obviously it takes a little bit of time,” Rojas, who has scored five goals in seven games, said.
“Wilky and Holly, we were training a little bit (together) when I was here, before I left, But obviously we haven’t played many games.
“Now we’re trying to work together and to see how they play and to know how to do the best for the team really. That’s what we’ve been working on this week.
“It’s great to have such amazing players. We have such great individuals and as a team as well.
“Hopefully it comes and it works out for us and I’m sure it will because I have faith and I know the work we have put in.”
City slumped to a 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory last week but McNamara consistently threatened and could easily have had several assists.
“It’s great to have players who drive with the ball. She’s quick and we needed to have someone who plays the ball the way Holly does – who has a great intensity and drives those balls into the area,” Rojas said.
“It’s really good, we just now need to, obviously now that we are all back together, work as a team.
“It didn’t happen last week. We are disappointed as a team, as individuals, as a club.
“We always want more, we always want to win and I’m pretty sure everyone is going to step up.”
Sydney will be attempting to bounce back from their shock loss to Wellington at Kingston Heath on Saturday.
They will welcome back skipper Nat Tobin, though fellow defender Charlotte Mclean (fractured cheekbone) remains sidelined, while City regain midfield sensation Daniela Galic.
Third-placed City sit five points behind leaders Sydney and second-placed Western United.
“We know what Sydney brings, we know how they play,” Rojas said.
“But we also need to have everyone switched on.”
