Help Heart make it two from two as the ladder leaders head to AAMI Park for a truly mouth-watering match-up!
Help Heart make it two from two as the ladder leaders head to AAMI Park for a truly mouth-watering match-up!
Having kick-started their season just in time last weekend, Melbourne Heart will be looking to further secure their top six status on Sunday, but challenges don’t come much tougher than the one which presents itself.
The Premiers-elect come to AAMI Park with the sweet smell of success in their nostrils. The Premier’s Plate is so close they can almost touch it, so the Red & White will have to be at their best if they are to pick up a win, and that’s where you come in. Your support last Friday was fantastic.
The encouragement and patience from the AAMI Park crowd really helped Heart to break down a stubborn Gold Coast United team and snap a winless streak that stretched back to before the turn of the year. This weekend, you can inspire them further with huge noise from the stands as your team aims to overcome a side that has beaten them twice this season.
Despite having suffered home and away losses to the ladder leaders, Heart will go into Sunday’s showdown with confidence after their hard-fought 1-0 triumph over a young Gold Coast United side at AAMI Park last Friday.
As the game looked to be heading for a stalemate, John van-t Schip’s team grabbed an absolutely vital winner in the 79th minute through Eli Babalj. The substitute had looked dangerous since he came on shortly after the interval and deserved his goal, which came about after fine interplay between the talismanic Fred and Matt Thompson.
The return of captain Fred after such a long lay-off has come at the perfect time for Heart. Now, back in the top six, they are well positioned to push on and cement a place in the finals.
This weekend though, they take on a Mariners team that, after a bit of a worrying wobble, took a big step towards securing the Premier’s Plate with a fine victory over one-time challengers Wellington Phoenix.
In a game which once again was notable for the emerging talent of wonder kid Tomas Rogic, the Yellow & Navy ran out 2-0 winners. The exciting teenager hit a spectacular second-half strike – picking up a loose ball and then unleashing a curling effort past overworked Wellington goalkeeper Mark Paston.
The goal set Bluetongue Stadium alight, as did Patrick Zwaanswijk’s match-sealing header in the 83rd minute. They know that another win this weekend will bring the league title even closer.
Both sides will go into this match-up absolutely desperate for the three points, and therefore there will be just as much commitment on the field as there is skill.
This is a must-see clash, as Mariners push for the Premier’s Plate and Heart aim for a top six finish. Be there and watch Hyundai A-League drama unfold live!
