Frank Farina believes his Queensland side has what it takes to win the Hyundai A-League after a vital 2-0 win away to Melbourne on Sunday.
While the victory was just the Roar’s second of the season, it moves them within three points of the two teams which currently share top spot in Melbourne and Sydney, and keeps them on track for a top four position.
Farina said it could prove a turning point for the team.
“I’ve told the players over the past few weeks, if we continue to play in the manner we have been playing, things will turn. Tonight was the night that it turned for us. The two guys (Tahj Minniecon and Michael Zullo) took the goals well,” he said.
Farina said he had a very strong belief in his team’s championship credentials and that he felt they were closing the gap on the leading sides.
“If you seen the way we’ve been playing. We’ve only had one game where we’ve, well we killed ourselves in that game against Central Coast,” he said.
“Every other game, last week against Newcastle we should have won handsomely but we lost. I’ve been happy with the manner in which we’ve been playing. We just haven’t taken our chances.”
“I’ve always believed we have had the talent to win a championship. But you need a bit of luck as well. Personally I believe we have got a squad which can push for a title, but again you need luck in terms of injuries, suspensions, balls going in the net when you need them to. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe we could do it.”
It was a win secured thanks to two of the Roar’s young guns in Minniecon and Zullo. Farina said the fresh legs of his young stars had made a big difference late in the game, while their skills made sure they were able to do what their teammates weren’t in the first half, and that was find the back of the net.
“I think at that stage of the game, when they came on they made a big difference for us, not only with the goals,” Farina said. “That’s what you expect. And they have been doing well in recent weeks when they have come on.”
“The key for us in breaking them down was trying to get around them rather than through them and with the pace that Michael and Tahj possess they are a nightmare for anyone if they’ve got the ball at their feet and they are running at you. It worked a treat,” he said.
Zullo’s goal came in the dying minutes, but his effort to turn and beat Melbourne skipper Kevin Muscat left a major impression and had the 20-year-old glowing after the match.
“It was late in the game, I came on with ten minutes to go. I had fresh legs and he was a bit tired. It was good to get around him and it’s good to score,” he said.
“It’s a good squad to be in. I feel like I’m doing well coming off the bench at the moment. I’d like to be playing 90 minutes. But coming on late in the game when players are tired and defenders are tired, it adds a bit to my game.”
