Perth Glory goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski believes the struggling side may have just turned the corner after producing a grand-stand finish to last week’s loss in North Queensland.
Down 2-1 after the Fury’s David Williams put his side ahead in the 72nd minute, the Glory laid siege to the North Queensland goal, producing some of their best and most intense football of a disastrous five-week losing stretch.
In a torrential tropical downpour, the Fury just managed to hold on, prompting coach Franz Straka to dance in the rain with his players in sheer relief.
But while the result wasn’t what new interim Glory coach Ian Ferguson would have wanted, Vrteski was keen to look at the positives, saying the side will take that momentum into this week’s home clash with last-placed Sydney FC.
“We had them on the ropes in the last 15 minutes,” said Vrteski.
“Obviously the result didn’t go the way we wanted … but definitely the boys look a lot better than a few weeks back.”
“We were a bit unfortunate. I even threw myself up there a couple of times to hopefully get a result but not to be.”
“(So it’s a) massive game for us this weekend as well. We’ll bounce back. If we keep playing the way we did on the weekend and training the way we have, I can’t see why we can’t get on the positive side of things this weekend.”
Vrteski, though, believes the side’s run of losses, which has already claimed former coach David Mitchell, has affected the confidence of some players in the team.
“When the results aren’t (going) well, the team’s not playing as well, there’s a lot of, not necessarily negativity, but everyone looks for who’s going to stand up, who’s going to take the next position,” Vrteski said.
“So I think it’s just a little bit of uncertainty you know.”
“A lot of things are much easier when you’re winning games.”
“(But) a couple of wins and things will change very quickly but at the moment, everything just seems to be not bouncing for us.”
And, having been given the nod to play against the Fury over regular goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, Vrteski is determined to hold the position for as long as he can.
“He (Ferguson) said he felt I deserved the opportunity, which I was happy to take,” Vrteski said.
“I hadn’t played yet this season and to play on the weekend was awesome.”
“It gives me an opportunity so that’s all I can ask for and if I put the runs on the board he’ll keep me out there.”
“As close as me and Tando are as friends, you know we are fighting for the same position and we’ll always keep working hard.”
“Tando, he was the first person to wish me luck on the weekend and I can’t ask for anything more than that.”
“And, I’m the same if he plays, I’ll be the first one to wish him luck.”
