Fiesty Albanian sharpshooter Besart Berisha has declared Sunday’s A-League grand final against Perth “his moment” promising Brisbane fans he’ll try to play the game of his life.
The Pristina-born 26-year-old, who played for first division club Hamburg before stints with several European second-division clubs, has never won a title which is why the thought of breaking through has him so pumped.
To achieve it front of 50,000 fans — most hoping Brisbane become the A-League’s first back-to-back champions following last year’s Suncorp Stadium heartstopper — has him even more excited.
“This is the first time in my career I have the chance to win a title and a very special title,” an exuberant Berisha told AAP on Wednesday.
“This is my time, my moment.”
Berisha’s trademark, apart from his passion, is how much he gives of himself in pursuit of victory.
“I always give 100 per cent, but this game is so special to me, I will give 200 per cent,” he said.
“I will run more than I have ever run, I will try to score more goals than I’ve ever scored.”
Berisha’s unbridled passion earned him a yellow card in Tuesday night’s 2-1 Asian Champions League loss to Ulsan when he was booked for dissent even before the second half started.
It was the latest in a goal-filled debut season dotted by emotional outbursts and highlighted by his bare-chested challenge to Sydney FC’s Pascal Bosschaart after taking offence to some alleged comments about his family.
Perth will try to upset the A-League’s leading goal scorer but Berisha said nothing would distract him from the job he has to do.
“Of course I am prepared,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, it’s not about me. It’s about the team. I have to do things that are good for the team and make the team strong.
“They (Perth) will try everything. Everybody will try everything to win the game and I will also try to hurt Perth.”
Coach Ange Postecoglou acknowledges Berisha’s passion is as much a part of his game as his uncanny ability to score goals — 19 of them during the regular season.
“At the end of the day, I am a passionate man – I cannot change this,” Berisha said.
“I grew up like this and I learned this way to play in Europe.
“This game (soccer) is more than a game to me. It’s my life – it’s my love.
“I will go out with everything I can do in my body to stop Perth and try to win this game.
“With so many people behind my back, I will enjoy this moment and nobody will stop us.”
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