Striker Alex Brosque believes Sydney FC are on track for a finals spot despite dropping another two points in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Melbourne Heart.
After a woeful start to the Hyundai A-League season that saw them without a win until their week 11 victory over Perth Glory, Sydney’s title defence looked to be on thin ice.
But the champions have steadied in recent weeks, with three wins, two draws and a loss from their last six games, and Brosque insists the club is on the up even after the disappointing draw with the Heart.
“With the start to the season that we’ve had we look at these games and we should be sort of pushing on and taking the three points,” the 27-year-old said.
“We’ll take a point and we’ll keep gathering a bit of momentum and picking up those points, but we definitely made it harder for ourselves with the start we had.”
“We’re a bit frustrated that we didn’t go on and get that win tonight, but it’s a good point away from home against a good quality side.”
Sydney sit in ninth place on the Hyundai A-League standings, just four points behind the sixth-placed Melbourne Victory and Brosque said securing a top-six berth and a finals spot was foremost in their thoughts.
“We’re within striking distance. We’ve got a couple of games in hand both on the Heart and (one on) the Melbourne Victory as well, who are both in the top six.”
Sydney now return home for a crucial clash on Wednesday night with the seventh-placed Wellington Phoenix, who are four points ahead of them.
“If we can pick up points, hopefully three on Wednesday, then we’re right back in the mix. So while you look at and it seems as though the top four have blown away a bit, there’s still another two spots.”
“Everybody in the team, myself included, has been up and down, and it was a very slow start from all of us to the season. We’ve been a bit better at home in the past couple of games so it’s good that on Wednesday night we do have another home game.”
“It will be tough, Wellington’s coming off some good results.”
Brosque said he enjoyed the A-League’s midweek fixtures because of the opportunity they gave to atone for a disappointing result at the weekend.
“I think physically it a lot tougher than what we’re used to, but as a player I think it’s better to play those midweek games,” he said.
“You freshen up, and physically it’s tough but mentally it’s good to have that in your head that you’ve only got a couple of days before your next game.”
