Melbourne Heart will make their A-League debut on Thursday night promising a slick brand of football that will set them apart from their established rivals.
Inaugural captain Simon Colosimo acknowledged they would take time to peak, but still expected to make an instant impact against Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park.
“This thing’s going to get thrown around that we need to gel – if we get a result tomorrow night no one’s going to mention it,” Colosimo said after Wednesday’s final training session.
“We’re all professionals, we’ve all been at new environments … we all know our jobs, we know what we need to do.
“We’ve worked on it, the coaching staff have been stringent in everything we’ve done and I think we’re ready.”
Colosimo said his team’s edge would be skilful ball movement, aided by a smoother surface than across town at Etihad Stadium.
“The strength of our team is going to be our ability to move the ball quickly,” the skipper said.
“Especially at home, the surface is top notch.
“I can already say now the PFA do a pitch rating system, I think AAMI Park’s going to come first … I’m not being biased, it really is brilliant.”
He said taking three points would be important against the Mariners, with away games against Newcastle and Adelaide to follow.
Dutch coach John Van `t Schip’s squad includes two Dutch players, midfielder Rutger Worm and giant striker Gerald Sibon, to help institute the style of possession football that is his nation’s hallmark.
Colosimo expected Worm’s footwork to impress.
“Rutger’s got some fast feet on him, he’s quite exciting, he’s hungry, he works very very hard for a guy who’s got such silky skills going forward,” he said.
Van `t Schip hoped the playing style would help draw crowds, with Heart expecting at least 10,000 against the Mariners.
“We want to play a different way than maybe a lot of other teams, but it’s up to us to convince (fans),” Van `t Schip said. He said even with 198cm former Ajax and PSV Eindhoven striker Sibon as a target, it would not mean a focus on high balls.
“He’s very long and big, but actually better with his feet than his head,” Van `t Schip said.
“He scores goals with his head, so it’s not a weak point at all, but he’s a very intelligent player.”
Former Socceroos midfielder Josip Skoko will play, after overcoming a knee injury.
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