Perth defender Hayden Foxe believes the Glory needs to put Sunday’s win over Sydney behind them quickly in order to grab the points against Adelaide this weekend.
Former Socceroo and English Premier League player Foxe said the Reds could be doing it tough next Sunday after a gruelling midweek road trip to Uzbekistan to play the second leg of their Asian Champions League semi-final with Bunyodkor.
But, if Perth is to take advantage of Adelaide’s crowded schedule and secure the points for a second week in a row, Foxe knows it will have to re-focus quickly and not get carried away by the upset 2-1 win over the Sky Blues.
“It’s (the victory) a big confidence boost, but that games finished now and we’re concentrating on Adelaide,” Foxe said.
“It’s a good time to play Adelaide to be honest, they’re doing a lot of travelling and a hard game in the Champions League.”
“They’ve got to come back and play a game, so it’s going to be difficult but (it’s also) difficult for us and we’re not going to take it easy.”
“Hopefully, we can just continue what we did over the weekend.”
In an assured performance at centre back alongside Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Foxe demonstrated his class by nipping several Sydney attacks in the bud and superbly marshalling a defence that had conceded 20 goals in the seven previous matches.
Foxe and Topor-Stanley’s dominance in the air reduced John Aloisi to an almost peripheral role before the marquee Sydney striker was substituted in the second half, with the only crack in the defence appearing at the 12-minute mark when Brendon Santalab’s equaliser cancelled out Jamie Harnwell’s opening goal.
However, it’s been a long journey making it to seven Glory appearances for the flame-headed Foxe.
The defender arrived at the club following Leeds’ demotion from the English Championship at the end of the 2006-07 season but only made six appearances last year after succumbing to a serious knee injury.
Foxe looked back to his best during a Pre-season Cup hit-out against Newcastle in July, but in the very next game against Melbourne, he took a hit on the same foot that he injured just before Christmas 2003 while playing for Portsmouth.
At the time, the injury kept him away from the game for 18 months and led to the defender being transferred to Leeds, while re-injuring the foot against the Victory meant another three months on the sidelines.
As late as last Thursday, Foxe was in doubt for the Sydney clash but after making it through the full 90 minutes and punting the ball away in delight at the final whistle, the defender is keen to look forward.
“It’s (the foot) the best it’s felt actually all season, so just got to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully I can play the rest of the season,” Foxe said.
“It’s hard when you’re injured because it’s your job, it’s all I want to do, is play football.”
“(But) seeing the smile on everyone’s face, not just the fans but the ball boys and everyone, the staff (was great), so hopefully we can continue on this run and see more smiling faces.”
