Just imagine if they had lost. Unhappy Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey has described his team as “clueless” and resembling “rabbits in the headlights” despite reclaiming the A-League ladder lead with a 3-0 win over Melbourne Heart at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
In contrast, Heart mentor John Aloisi sounded like the winning coach just moments after his side’s woeful win-less road run was extended to 16 games, banishing them to the A-League cellar.
“There is a certain level of expectation about being a Brisbane Roar player,” said Mulvey after two goals by Henrique inspired their third win in four games.
“And I think today in the first half we were like rabbits in the headlights.
“We looked clueless sometimes.
“At halftime I shocked a few people into being scared of their shadows.
“It was the result we wanted but we want to go about it in a better manner than that.”
Aloisi could see plenty of positives despite the Heart squandering chance after chance without Harry Kewell (whiplash) to ensure they have picked up just two points in their past nine competitive matches.
“All in all if we perform like that more often than not we will win the game. I can’t ask any more from my boys,” he said.
Aloisi said the Heart’s sensational start showed his side were not getting distracted by their reputation as A-League road kill.
“This is a new season, a fresh start. Out of the four games we have performed well in three – we have shown we can compete with anyone,” he said.
Aloisi admitted he was “very close” to naming Kewell for the Roar clash.
“We want to make sure when he comes back he stays there – his presence means a lot out there,” he said.
One of Aloisi’s few complaints was the Roar’s opening goal, which he believed was scored by Henrique from an offside position.
But he did not follow the lead of third last Sydney FC mentor Frank Farina after their controversial 1-0 loss to Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Farina called on the A-League to use video review technology, blasting “semi-professional” match officials after an apparent incorrect offside ruling led to the match’s only goal.
Feeling the heat after two poor losses, Farina’s frustration finally boiled over after what appeared to be an offside Ryo Nagai was fouled in the box and Steve McGarry converted the ninth-minute penalty.
In contrast, Central Coast coach Graham Arnold was breathing easy after his fourth placed side escaped with a 2-2 draw at Hunter Stadium on Saturday night.
The 2012-13 grand final winners kept the Jets winless after four rounds despite Mariners keeper Justin Pasfield gifting Newcastle their second goal early in the second half.
And Western Sydney striker Tomi Juric boosted his chances of earning a Socceroos nod for the November 19 friendly against Costa Rica after a match-winning brace in a 2-1 win over his former club Adelaide United on Friday night.
The round is completed by Monday night’s Melbourne Victory-Wellington clash.
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