Melbourne Heart coach John van’t Schip says his new team can challenge for the A-League title provided it embraces the game he has in mind.
The Heart’s official launch drew only a small crowd to Federation Square on Friday morning, but van ‘t Schip has been impressed by the way his players have dedicated themselves to the Dutch style of possession and movement.
The Heart and Central Coast kick off the season when they play at AAMI Park on Thursday night.
“There’s still a long way to go because we’ve just started, but I’m very confident we’ll end up with a high quality (style) of football,” van ‘t Schip said.
“We want to be going for the prize.
“But for me the most important thing is to play a game that I have in mind and if we achieve that, the results will come.
“It’s all about getting that system into the team, the way of playing, and not thinking too much about winning or losing.”
The Heart could have almost a full squad to pick from next week, aside from veteran striker John Aloisi (hamstring) and midfielder Kristian Sarkies, who is recovering from a broken leg.
Aloisi said he hoped to resume full training next week, but is likely to miss at least the first two games.
The former Socceroo is one of several accomplished players in the Heart’s squad, and said the new team was capable of surprising everyone in what will be his last season as a player.
“We want to start off well but we’ll get stronger as the year goes on,” he said.
“At the moment we just want to concentrate on the first game and take it game by game, but if we do improve as a team and as individuals we will be competing at the end.
“I want to end on a high and I want to be a winner. Hopefully we’ll be ending as winners.”
The Heart will be a major focus this season given they boast a squad comprising past and present Socceroos Aloisi, Michael Beauchamp, Josip Skoko, Simon Colosimo, Dean Heffernan, Clint Bolton and Matt Thompson.
They also aim to produce off the pitch, but must face the challenge of gaining support in a city where the Melbourne Victory have been so successful.
Although Friday’s crowd mainly comprised staff members from the club’s sponsor, van ‘t Schip was confident the Heart would be embraced.
“The reactions we hear and the the people we talk to, I think there are a lot of people who want to support us,” he said.
Aloisi said he felt honoured to be involved.
“It’s exciting, it makes you feel young again to be involved in something new,” he said.
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