Heading into the final two games of the season, Iain Ramsay has reinforced the Reds’ motivation to build on their recent results.
Heading into the final two rounds of the Hyundai A-League season, Iain Ramsay has reinforced the Reds- motivation to continue building on their recent results for their AFC Champions League assault.
After taking a point from Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, the Reds kept plenty of intrigue in the race for the Premier-s Plate between Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners with the result. This Saturday night and again in the final round, the Reds have the ability to influence the final standings of the Hyundai A-League-s top six as they meet the Mariners and Melbourne Heart.
But while the Reds can have a say in how the positions on the table pan out, Ramsay said it is not where the Reds- motivation lies and that they are only concerned about their own backyard and doing everything they can to increase the confidence meter as they prepare to host Gamba Osaka on March 20.
“We-ll go there (to Gosford) to get three points,” Ramsay said.
“The more wins we get in the last two games, it will give us the confidence to go into the Asian Champions league.”
In sport, there are often cases when the pressure of expectation can be seen to have an adverse effect on players and teams. Expectation to win was something the Reds did not have to deal with against both Bunyodkor and Brisbane, as few would have believed they could come away with results.
But particularly in the AFC Champions League, the Reds have had a history of causing major surprises when they have had their backs against the wall. Whether these results are because it allows them to play with a freedom due to there being no expectation Ramsay is uncertain, although he knows how much of a difference that thing called confidence can make.
“I think we gained a lot of confidence out of that game in Uzbekistan,” Ramsay said.
“Beating them (Bunyodkor) at their home ground was a big confidence boost for us, so if we can keep our confidence going and do well in the last two A-League games, we should put ourselves in good stead for the AFC Champions league.”
Ramsay-s 14th minute strike against the Roar, which came after a swift, sweetly worked team move, was the goal that helped the Reds to their 1-1 draw with the reigning Hyundai A-League champions on Sunday. When Ramsay smashed the ball into the back of the net, one could easily be excused to have thought it came from his lethal and preferred left foot. However, the 24 year olds clinical finish was from his unfamiliar right boot, something even Ramsay admits is a rarity.
“Obviously it-s not my dominant foot and I don-t score too many with my right, but I was very happy to put that away,” Ramsay said.
It was the winger-s second goal of the season and he will hoping there are more to come before the season is out.
