Where To Now For Heart?

Melbourne Heart supporters protest the teams season performance prior to kick-off.

By Mark Humphrey

In a twilight encounter against an Adelaide team under fire the scene was set for a glorious Heart revival on a balmy summer night.

There was a whisper that the Melbourne Heart supporters were acting out a protest against Aloisi by being deadly quiet for the first half. Whether it was the protest or the fact that United scored within the first 3 minutes of the game the fact remained that the first half of football at AAMI Stadium felt like a suburban match with at times skills to match.

When United’s Steven Lustica pounced on a defended United cross to score for Adelaide the writing was on the wall that it was going to be a long night for Heart supporters given the fact that they had hardly bothered the goals highlight reel all year.Adelaide United players rejoice after going 1 nil up 

Within 5 minutes of the opening whistle a clear pattern had emerged for the United team in that they were running hard and out sprinting the Heart defence and that more often than not they were setting up their attack from the left hand corner through Cirio and Carrusca. These two players were involved in United’s next goal at the 15 minute mark and had looked threatening right up to that point.

On the odd occasion when United attacked down the right side Fabio Ferreira was taking full advantage of the open side and often set up opportunities for the United forwards.

Fabio Ferreira was in everything early

To the outsider it would have looked like complete dominance by the United team which in some respects was true but like in previous games the Melbourne Heart forwards had several gettable opportunities to get themselves back into the game.

The Football Federation of Australia markets this competition as it’s elite football competition in Australia. Sometimes you have to wonder if the players are of the same level.

In the same 15 minute period that United scored their two goals Heart’s Michael Mifsud had two opportunities to score what looked to be gettable goals. In his second attempt he was simply pushed off the shot. A diving Galekovic’s outstretched arm kept out what looked to be a certain strike soon after. Ramsay then stepped up after receiving a perfect cross from Murdocca and missed.Mifsud was very busy all night and a go to man for the Heart players.

Most of these attempts by the Heart strikers were genuine scoring chances that opposition teams seem to nail week in week out.

With 40 gone in the first half Mifsud worked the ball down the left side and skilfully got past United goal keeper Eugene Galekovic who had made a tactical mistake by attacking the ball and was left flat footed as he watch Mifsud go past him. Mifsud had two United defenders scrambling to cover but this should not have been a problem for an A-League striker. End result was that Melbourne Heart forwards were once again incapable of scoring in the big time.

Having witnessed Heart’s home games this season you can’t help but think where this team would be with a couple of quality strikers. Kewell could be one but what’s the use of having a superstar if he can’t play through a bit of whiplash. Reading this you might think it’s an attack on Mifsud and co but nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is that Mifsud, Ramsay, Murdocca, Williams and Mebrahtu are excellent players and contribute to the Heart forward structure magnificently but they don’t kick goals and it’s as simple as that. Williams was gifted a goal in the second half from a penalty free kick but most would get that shot away.

So with United going into the break with a 2-0 lead having had 9 shots at goal to 6 one could have easily thought how far United.

Whatever was said at the break seemed to work for the Heart as they come out firing on all cylinders.

A magnificent strike by Andrea Migliorini from long range finally got Heart on the board. The jubilation from Migliorini was shared by his team mates and Heart’s coach John Aloisi as they embraced each other. Aloisi turned to the crowd and pumped his arms aggressively as if to say stick that. You could literately see the pressure blanket lifting off his and the players shoulders.

Migliorini celebrates the 1st goal and heads straight for the coach

Heart had lifted big time and had started to run aggressively. A cross had set up Mifsud who put a shot just wide of the mark and then Williams followed up with a header that grazed the top bar. The difference in this game seems to be centre metres from glory or despair. I’m not sure the Heart forwards are that skilful to work in centre metres.  Never the less Migliorini stepped up again for his second of the night. Migliorini jumps the fence after celebrating his second goal with the fans

Williams followed with the penalty shot to give Heart a 3-2 lead. In 13 minutes of play Melbourne Heart had scored 3 goals and looked a completely different team.

David Williams puts away the penalty for Heart's 3rd goal of the night.

History will show that United got the equaliser with the game finishing in a sombre 3 all draw.

After the match Aloisi made his way onto the park and congratulated his players. He then walked straight down to the supporter hub and started pumping his chest much to the pleasure of the Heart supporters. One minute these guys are protesting in silence the next minute they are rejoicing with the coach. There is no doubt Aloisi wears his heart on his sleeve and maybe some of the pressure has lifted from the shoulders of the besieged coach. You can just about bet your bottom dollar that if Aloisi had a couple of champion strikers on hand or a bit of luck with his current crop of forwards then we wouldn’t be talking about this.

Heart coach John Aloisi thumps the chest as Heart fans rejoice the man

So now it seems that the doom & gloom has lifted around the club with great expectations for the rest of the season. With everything heading in one direction it will be interesting to see what’s in line for Melbourne Heart.  At least coach Aloisi should now have a reprieve from the supporters.

United host the top of table Brisbane Roar while Heart are on the road to take on the Wanderers.

IMAGES FROM THE NIGHT