Perth captain Rostyn Griffiths says stats show the Sky Blues rule, but has vowed a never-say-die and attacking display by his Glory warriors in Saturday’s Hyundai A-League semi final against the all-conquering Premiers.
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
“Statistics don’t lie,” Griffiths told reporters in Perth ahead of Saturday’s do-or-die encounter at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
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“They [Sydney FC] have got the most points. They’ve scored the most goals, and conceded the least goals.
“If you break it down like that, they’re the best team the A-League has ever seen.
“But have they been the most exciting?
“That’s the big question.
“I don’t really care about excitement. At the end of the day it comes down to results.
“So for me they’ve been the best team in the A-League,” he declared.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
Griffiths’ assessment of the all-conquering Premiers doesn’t mean Glory have given up hope of toppling them.
Not at all.
And Perth’s attitude may play a big part in that, as evidenced in their 2-0 win over Melbourne City in week one of the Final Series.
“There was a never-say-die attitude, and that is where finals football is a little bit different,” said the Glory skipper.
“Our attitude was better on the day.
“Ultimately on the day that’s all that counts, we’ve got to turn up on the day.
“Take tactics out of it, attitude and endeavour is another element of the game.
“Finals football is totally different, a one-off occasion, and we’ve got players who have played in big games and big leagues,” he added.
IT’S NO TIME FOR SITTING BACK
And Griffiths hinted at a slightly altered approach from the one which saw them succumb City on Sunday.
“Melbourne are a totally different side to Sydney,” he said.
“We absorbed a lot of pressure against Melbourne and caught them on the counter attack.
“We strangled Melbourne City, we outfought them, outworked them.
“Against Sydney I don’t think it works exactly the same as that.
“They’re a team that can punish you if you let them keep the ball the whole time.
“So I think we’re going to have to take the game a bit more to them.”
