Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi was happy with his players’ reactions following their 3-3 draw against Adelaide, having shown fight and spirit to turn the game around.
Adelaide had raced into a 2-0 lead within fifteen minutes, leaving Heart looking despondent and the crowd in silence protesting over recent mediocre performances.
But the hosts came out firing after the break, as a stunning brace from Andrew Migliorini and a dubious penalty converted by David Williams gave Heart the lead.
There was to be further drama however, when Marcelo Carrusca grabbed a late equaliser via a deflected free kick.
The feeling in the Heart camp was one of disappointment that they weren’t able to win it, something that pleased Aloisi.
“I loved the reaction of the players. Of course we’re disappointed because we want to win, and a draw, we’re not happy with that but the reaction was good,” Aloisi said.
After he scored his first goal, Migliorini ran straight to Aloisi to celebrate with his coach, but Aloisi said the show of faith was unnecessary given he knows the players are behind him.
“They don’t need to show they’re sticking with me, I know they are,” he said.
“We’ve been saying that from a while ago we’ve not been happy with the results but as a group, as a club, we’re sticking together.
“From the board down, everyone at this club is working hard to get through this.
“We’re all passionate about this club, we all want to succeed and then you saw at the end of the game, not only the goals but the end of the game the players [reactions], they’re sticking together.”
Despite some sections of the home crowd calling for his head, Aloisi went over to them at the end of the game.
It was a move to show them that he appreciates them sticking by the club in this rough period.
“I hope [the supporters] know that they were brilliant in the second half,” he said.
“I know they had a silent protest in the first half but in the second half they did not stop and then of course the goal helped.
“But they just kept on growing, growing, and I just wanted to thank them for it, and just to show that, I’ve been here since day one.
“This club means a lot to me, and they need to know that.”
Follwing the second goal to Migliorini, Aloisi also produced a very animated celebration, on the he puts down to his love of the club.
“I want the players and I want this club to achieve something and that’s why it meant a lot to me.
“It’s not about me at all.”