Ange Postecoglou believes the back-to-back wins over Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix is a ‘promising sign’ that Brisbane Roar are hitting the right kind of form as the race for the Hyundai A-League minor premiership goes down to the wire.
Ange Postecoglou believes the back-to-back wins over Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix is a ‘promising sign’ that Brisbane Roar are hitting the right kind of form at the right time as the race for the Hyundai A-League minor premiership goes down to the wire.
The Roar followed up last weekend’s 2-0 victory over the table-topping Mariners with an identical result over the Phoenix in Wellington on Sunday afternoon to reclaim second spot on the ladder.
The defending champions now sit five points behind Central Coast and two above Wellington with six games of the season to go.
“We’re getting back to playing not only some good football but some effective football,” Postecoglou said after goals from Besart Berisha and Mitch Nichols sealed the win at Westpac Stadium.
“To go to Central Coast and Wellington in the last two weeks and pick up a couple of wins – and in both games I think we controlled the game – it’s a promising sign.
“I thought we were really good today. In the first half we knew the Phoenix would sit back and make it difficult for us.
“But we were nice and patient and picked our moments to attack and we scored a great goal.
“In the second half we had to weather a bit of pressure but at the same time we had some good opportunities up the other end and probably could have been a bit smarter with some of our decision-making.
“But coming here and playing as well as we did and winning, it’s a pretty good day.”
Postecoglou still believes the Mariners’ destiny is in their own hands and admits the race for all positions in the top six remains wide open.
“People want to call it pretty early but I’ve been saying for a while now I think it will go down to the last game for most positions in the six,” he said.
“Central Coast have got the biggest break and it’s in their hands. But from our point of view it’s about going to the final series playing good football. If we do that then we’ll give ourselves a good chance of winning it.”
Despite being booked, Roar defender Mohamed Adnan had a happier trip to Wellington than his previous visit with Bahrain when he missed a penalty kick in a World Cup play-off match that resulted in New Zealand gaining a place in the tournament in South Africa.
“We told him we were in Christchurch today. We haven’t told him it’s Wellington,” Postecoglou joked. “He just gets the shivers when he hears Wellington. It was nice of them to replay his penalty miss after the game as well!”
Adnan, who took part in mass protests against the Bahrain Government last year, has certainly impressed the Roar coach.
“He’s a real quality individual – not just as a player but as a person. He’s very laid back and composed and he’s been a fantastic addition to our squad,” said Postecoglou.
“He was pretty happy after the game to have come here and won. He’s a real calming influence. He’s played a big part in our season so far and I think he’ll play a big part going forward too.”
