Perth Glory defender Bas van den Brink says the team’s defence has come together as a group and vowed to cut out the late goals that have blighted their season so far.
Perth Glory defender Bas van den Brink says the team’s defence has come together as a group and vowed to cut out the late goals that have blighted their season so far.
The Glory have conceded four goals in the last five minutes before half-time across the whole season and two goals in two separate matches during the final five minutes before full time, with those goals costing the sides a result in four games.
Last weekend, the Glory had dominated the second half against Melbourne Heart at home, but an 87th-minute winner from Mate Dugandzic completed a 2-1 win for the Victorian side, consigning the Glory to eighth on the Hyundai A-League table.
And, having seen the club’s owner Tony Sage and coach Ian Ferguson cop plenty of criticism following the result, towering Dutchman van den Brink has declared enough is enough for his back four.
“We spoke about it yesterday us defenders,” declared van den Brink on Thursday, ahead of taking the captain’s arm-band in suspended skipper Jacob Burns’ absence.
“We can’t concede goals just before the whistle blows, so we have to stay focused the whole 45 and 90 minutes.”
“It’s very important. I think it’s five or so goals in total we’ve conceded just before the ref blows for half-time or the end, and five goals is a lot.”
“We have to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Van den Brink said the players were keen to make things up to the club’s owner and coach after last weekend.
“It’s not good for them to cop it all the time,” said van den Brink.
“As a group we can make it better for them and we should do it tomorrow.”
Although he only arrived at the club this season, van den Brink said it was an honour to assume the captaincy in the absence of Burns, who is suspended for one match after accruing five yellow cards.
“I am really honoured to take the captain’s arm band,” said van den Brink. “But I’ll be handing it back after tomorrow night.”
