Defiant Sydney FC coach John Kosmina has mounted an incredible defence of his malfunctioning side while taking a swipe at Perth’s performance after Glory smacked the sky blues 4-1 at the SFS on Sunday.
Despite the heaviest home defeat of the season – a loss which could have major ramifications for Sydney’s top four hopes – Kosmina was surprisingly upbeat about his team’s performance and quick to belittle Perth’s display.
It came after another unhappy outing for FC’s marquee signing John Aloisi, who missed two sitters before being replaced early in the second half.
Two goals in each half, including a brace of own goals, allowed Glory to breathe life into their play-off chances but Kosmina remained unimpressed.
“Not if they play like that every week they won’t,” the Sydney coach replied when asked whether he thought Perth could reach the top four.
“Sooner or later someone will give them a hiding.”
“We killed them in the first half…look at the chances that we had.”
Asked if there were any positives to come out of the loss, Kosmina said: “The way we played. Do you think we didn’t play well?”
“We batted them. I’d hate to see the stats.”
“How many times (did we get) into their penalty area? 30? I lost count.”
“We actually scored more goals than Perth today.”
The last statement referred to the two goals Sydney put in their own net.
The second – a headed goal from Robbie Middleby past his own keeper – drew a bizarre explanation from Kosmina.
“There was a band of light coming through the back of the stand and ‘Chooky’ (Middleby) went right into it and couldn-t see it,” Kosmina said with a straight face.
“It was about four feet wide. If it had been a bit longer or a bit shorter he probably would have got there.”
“We missed two sitters and we scored two own goals.”
“If you don’t miss the sitters the own goals don-t happen and you’ve got your nose in front.”
Perth coach David Mitchell was bemused more than angered over Kosmina’s appraisal of his team following its first win on the road this season.
“I can tell by the laughter in the room that you are all amused by that comment,” Mitchell said as reporters began chuckling in anticipation of his response
“It’s disappointing that he said that but long may it continue.”
Asked if Sydney would make the top four, Mitchell paused before saying with a smile: “If they play like that, no.”
