Macarthur FC's Mile Sterjovski: "We Need to Be More Clinical" After Clash with Western Sydney Wanderers
Macarthur FC suffered a frustrating 1-1 draw against Western Sydney Wanderers in a fiery derby clash at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday. The Bulls, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, failed to find the back of the net consistently.
Following the match, Macarthur FC Head Coach Mile Sterjovski addressed the media, reflecting on the team's performance and highlighting key areas for improvement.
Sterjovski Acknowledges Dominance But Lacks Clinical Finish
"I think we dominated possession, created a lot of chances, and were really good in the first half," Sterjovski stated. "But we just need to be more clinical. We've got to convert our chances, and that's the biggest thing we need to work on."
He pointed to the Bulls' early goal, scored by Lachlan Rose, as an example of their potential. "We started off well, got the goal, and were in control," he said. "But we let them back into the game, and unfortunately, we couldn't find the second goal."
The Importance of Maintaining Momentum and Concentration
The coach emphasized the importance of capitalizing on early leads and keeping the momentum throughout the game. "We need to stay focused, and we need to keep playing our game," he said. "We can't afford to let teams back into the game like we did today."
The Wanderers equalized in the second half through a deflected free-kick. This highlighted a key area of concern for Sterjovski, who stressed the need for better defensive concentration. "We need to be sharper in our defensive moments," he said. "We need to make sure we're organized and we're not giving away free-kicks in dangerous areas."
Looking Ahead: Building on the Positives and Addressing Weaknesses
Despite the draw, Sterjovski remained optimistic about the team's progress and potential. "There are a lot of positives to take from this game," he said. "We created a lot of chances, we played some good football, and we showed a lot of character. But we need to be more consistent."
The coach emphasized the importance of working on the areas that need improvement, particularly the team's finishing and defensive awareness. He also highlighted the importance of building on the team's strong performance in the first half and maintaining that level of intensity throughout the entire game.
As Macarthur FC prepares for their next clash, they will be looking to translate their dominance into tangible results, converting chances and securing crucial victories to solidify their position in the A-League.