A failure to convert is of no concern to Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold, despite his marquee striker Filip Holosko missing four golden opportunities.
Following the match Arnold backed Holosko’s performance against the Newcastle Jets.
“I thought he was excellent all night,” said Arnold.
“Second half he was very good. Anyone else probably could’ve thrown the towel in.”
In the first half Holosko had a tap-in opportunity, a bobbled shot in the box, a header directly in front of goal and a volley that was hit straight at Jets goalkeeper Mark Birghitti.
Holosko misses a golden opportunity (Vine by @TheWorldGame) https://t.co/g9rwHwnMr5
— Rickard Bergquist (@sportblogg) December 4, 2015
“He came in at half time and said sorry and I said I never want to hear you’re sorry again. You’re not doing it on purpose,” said Arnold.
“What you’re doing is getting yourself in a good goal scoring opportunity and position to score. That takes quality.
“At the moment things are hitting the goalkeeper, like Birghitti saved that with his backside, any other time it goes in.”
Holosko misses third chance of the match (Vine by @TheWorldGame) https://t.co/vXUa22I2Du — Rickard Bergquist (@sportblogg) December 4, 2015
Arnold sighted Holosko’s statistics as evidence of his footballing quality.
“His record stands for itself.
The statistics of his career with goal scoring from the right hand side is great so its not a problem,” said Arnold.
“The most important thing is that he keeps getting in those goal scoring positions and it will come.”
Arnold noted the impact that the low-figure crowd had on Holosko and the match.
“Tonight was a little bit different because of the fans not being there and you could hear everything that everyone was saying from the bench, in the crowd, everything. There was no atmosphere tonight,” said Arnold.
“Probably Filip heard a few things that were said but look at the end of the day for me he played excellent.”
Holosko misses another chance https://t.co/uY4HLDnixa
— ArselEyvellahKardeşi (@Arselllll) December 4, 2015
Despite only winning 1-0, Arnold was satisfied with Sydney FC’s performance.
“When you sit down and watch a game properly, you’re creating 17 chances a game, there’s something that’s going right.
“The only thing is to put the ball in the back of the net and tonight the first half was the best Sydney FC performance since I’ve been at the club.
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Sydney FC look ahead with confidence to their match against Adelaide United next Friday night, while the Jets have a decent break before their clash with Melbourne City next Sunday afternoon.
