The table-topping Brisbane Roar have been nothing short of amazing in the first half of the Hyundai A-League 2010-11 season but Shane Stefanutto says comparisons to the best-ever Australian sides are a little premature.
After storming home with 10 men to beat second-placed Adelaide United 4-0 last weekend, praise for the all-conquering Roar has risen to record highs.
Fox Sports commentator Mark Bosnich says the Roar have been as dominant as any team in the history of the A-League, while United coach Rini Coolen said they would not be out of place in a European league.
But while Stefanutto agreed that there was a lot to love about the quality of football coming out of Brisbane, he was sure to remind that silverware was the true mark of a champion team.
“I don’t think you can (compare), I think you can just say that the type of football that we’re playing, and the style we’re playing, is a very good brand of football, and if that gets us comparisons with the best teams ever that’s fine, but like everyone else is saying, you don’t become a great team until you win something,” he said.
“Melbourne Victory’s not a great team because they’ve been playing good football every year, (it’s because) they’ve won championships and that’s the challenge for us.”
“It’s far too early to call us the best team ever, or the greatest team in the A-League, we have to step up and continue to do what we’re doing, then we have to win something and then we can maybe have comparisons.”
Fair and reasonable as it may be for the one-time Qantas Socceroos defender to address the bigger picture, Brisbane do appear to be building into something special.
Since their sole defeat of the season against the Victory in September, Brisbane have put together a fantastic nine-game streak, pouring in 21 goals to claim 21 competition points from a possible 27.
Ange Postecoglou, the mastermind behind Brisbane’s resurrection, was happy to let others debate the issue without weighing in, but he was certain that the line of discussion was in itself a great sign for the A-League.
“When we’re talking about and debating positive things, I think that’s a good thing. We’re not going to jump in and say what we think of ourselves, because I don’t think that’s right, it’s for others to judge,” he said.
“I think it’s fantastic for the league that people are saying is this the best team ever and talking up the quality of the league, rather than the other way around.”
“I think it’s a good discussion for the whole league, and I think supporters like that. I’m sure there are Melbourne supporters, Gold Coast supporters, Sydney supporters, saying you’ve got to be kidding me, we were a better side.”
“As long as we’re having debates about how good it is, rather than the other way around, I think it’s a good thing.”
