Glory defender Chris Coyne says Perth’s first away of the season has reinforced the squad’s unwavering belief that they have the quality and mental toughness to win anywhere and against any opposition in the Hyundai A-League.
Glory defender Chris Coyne says Perth-s first away of the season has reinforced the squad-s unwavering belief that they have the quality and mental toughness to win anywhere and against any opposition in the Hyundai A-League.
Sunday-s win was just their second against Brisbane in 13 attempts and their first at Suncorp Stadium after coming home empty handed in their previous six outings in the Queensland capital.
After taking a two goal lead into the break Coyne said there were some nerves in the change rooms after letting a similar lead slip against Gold Coast a week earlier however faith in each others ability to get the job done saw Perth over the mental hurdle.
“It was a case of déjà vu at half time, we were sitting there thinking ‘don-t let it happen again-, but we learnt from our mistakes and were fortunate enough to get that third goal,” Coyne said following the match.
“Goals change games and then obviously the fourth one went in and that was the sealer.”
The Socceroos defender played a key role throughout the match and was involved in two goals. The first coming when a shot from Brisbane striker Sergio van Dijk took a deflection off the defender and skewed past ‘keeper Aleks Vrteski who could do little to stop it hitting the back of the net.
The second incident saw Coyne the target accusations he had fouled Roar keeper Liam Reddy as both players sought to get a piece of a high cross from Adriano Pellegrino. The ball came floating into the six-yard box where Reddy misjudged the flight and was then accidentally knocked by Coyne from behind.
“There was a little bit of contact, I think the ball had already passed the big fella when I clipped him at the end and was in the back of the net,” Coyne said.
“It was just one of those things that went for us this week. We gave them one with my own goal so we-ll have to take that one.”
Under constant pressure from a Brisbane side determined to get back on level pegging following several blunders that gave away goals, Perth-s defence was battered but remained resolute under the leadership of Coyne and Andy Todd.
“We-ve had a similar upbringing in football, read the game in the same way and talk each other through the game. It is a pleasure to play with him and hopefully we can start getting a few clean sheets, Coyne said.
The win moving Perth into fourth place and with a chance to consolidate that position in a clash against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Friday night.
“When you look at the league table it is very close and if we can go to Newcastle this week and win all of a sudden we-re second or third and that is realistically where we should be after the start we-ve had this season,” said Coyne.
