Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van’t Schip believes Brisbane Roar will be no easy task despite them already clinching the 2013-14 A-League premiership with three rounds to play.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van’t Schip believes Brisbane Roar will be no easy task despite them already clinching the 2013-14 A-League premiership with three rounds to play.
Brisbane secured their second A-League premiership with a 1-0 win at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday thanks to a late goal from Luke Brattan.
But despite having already wrapped up the title, van’t Schip expects the Roar to be just as dangerous as ever.
“They are a team that keep possession well and as an opponent you have to run a lot,” van’t Schip said.
“They are a team that is playing on that level for a few years and they are used to playing under pressure, but also playing when they’ve won something and they-ve shown that in the past.
“It can only relieve them and they can play more freely and prepare for the coming games and really be on top when they go in to the play offs.
“We want to show that we have a team that-s capable of giving them a good game.”
With only three games to go Heart are still a mathematical chance to make the play-offs but must rely on a number of results to go their way.
“From the beginning I’ve said we have to improve and get better and it-s the same now,” van’t Schip said.
“In that, we have to win but if we win we still have to look at other results. For us the most important thing is go out there and it-s a great challenge to play the champions of the league and make it as difficult for them as possible. “
Van’t Schip also paid tribute to Melbourne Heart Captain Harry Kewell who on Wednesday announced he will be retiring from professional football at the end of the 2013-14 A-League season.
“Harry is a great player,” van’t Schip said. “He thought over with his family what is the best time to say definitive and that’s now.
“I think what he did for Australian football in general is very big. Going very young to England and achieving what he did.
“Playing for the Australian national team and having success on different kind of occasions. I don-t have to explain how big he is for the game here.
“I’m happy that I have worked with him, he was an example for the younger boys that they could see even at the age he is now how you really prepare yourself, keep your body in shape.
“If you look at Harry now and look at his body he’s still a real professional and a player you have to have a lot of respect for what he did.”
