It’s been over a month since Gold Coast United’s controversial 3-2 loss to Sydney FC, but the wounds are still as raw as ever for Dylan Macallister.
It’s been over a month since Gold Coast United’s controversial 3-2 loss to Sydney FC, but the wounds are still as raw as ever for Dylan Macallister.
The towering marksman opened his account for his new club in that match, putting them 2-0 up against the Sky Blues at the SFS – but since then, it’s all gone horribly wrong for the boys from the Glitter Strip.
Conceding three goals in the second half – including that much-talked about injury time penalty converted by Karol Kisel – Gold Coast let their hard-earned lead slip away, kick-starting an unwanted run of five losses in a row.
As they prepare to welcome Sydney to Skilled Park on Sunday, Macallister declared in no uncertain terms that it’s payback time.
“We’ve got to get something back on them. Revenge is on the cards,” he said after training on Tuesday morning.
“Leading 2-0 away from home we should have held on at least for a point. When they got back into the game at 2-2 we pushed forward and tried to get a result – but we’ve learned some lessons over the past few weeks.”
“We know we can play good football but we’d rather play bad and get three points than play beautiful football and just impress the crowd.”
Indeed, this season has become a school of hard knocks for a young, inexperienced United side, who are on one of those runs that suggests the club has incorporated mirror-smashing and walking under ladders as part of their weekly training routine.
While they remain dead last on the ladder, their goal difference and the number of shots they’ve taken this term mean a form reversal cannot be far away.
But one look at Sydney FC’s schedule could tempt United into thinking that perhaps Lady Luck and Dame Fortune are on their side this week.
The Sky Blues face Perth Glory at Campbelltown on Wednesday night – just three days after facing Brisbane Roar and four days before they’re due on the Gold Coast.
“They’re going to have three games in a week and that’s not easy for anybody. It’s going to be hard for them to back up,” Macallister said.
“But we need to focus on what we can control. We’ve put a lot of blame on other aspects of the games – refereeing decisions, a lack of experience, some bad luck.”
“We’ve got a good six or seven days now to prepare and it’s really important that we remain positive. We’ve just got to look forward.”
Helping their cause is the likely return of key Dutch duo Paul Beekmans and Peter Jungschlager, who were absent as United went down 2-0 to Perth on Saturday night.
Jungschlager is nursing a knock to the ankle sustained against Melbourne Victory two weeks ago, while Beekmans was given the week off to help deal with ongoing foot pain brought about by the use of orthotics and the hard surfaces used in the A-League.
“They are important players for us,” Macallister said.
“They were missed in Perth, they’ve got experience and that’s what we need. We had a lot of young players in the squad on Sunday and it was hard for all of us.”
“Those young players are very good but it’s a long season and to play week in, week out is something they’re not used to at this level.”
“They’ve done really well for us in patches and it’s important that they step up. Now is their time to shine.”
