Two wins and a draw from the past three games has striker Sergio van Dijk eager for the Reds to continue their resurgence under Coach John Kosmina.
Two wins and a draw from the past three games has striker Sergio van Dijk eager for the Reds to continue their resurgence under Coach John Kosmina.
Unbeaten since Kosmina took charge and with seven goals in three games, the Reds- season suddenly has a new lease of life and it is no surprise that these results have also coincided with the goal scoring return of van Dijk.
After a period of seven games without a goal, a rarity for van Dijk considering he has averaged a goal every two games in his Hyundai A-League career, the marksman came back with a bang against Melbourne Heart at AAMI Park yesterday as the Reds stunned a side that was shooting for its sixth straight win.
Van Dijk, together with Bruce Djite and Dario Vidosic, are starting to show signs that they are becoming an attacking force to be reckoned with and the 2010/11 Golden Boot winner is relishing having two partners in crime to work alongside of him.
“Yesterday was a good win and we-re trying to get some momentum to get this season back on track and I think we-re on the right path,” van Dijk said at the Reds- recovery session this morning.
“I think Dario, Bruce and myself are having a better connection now and I think it-s because we-ve had a bit more time to work together. Before, someone was injured for a week and I think now it-s getting better and better, but the defence and the midfield are also looking good now.”
“It-s a big difference (with three of us) because all of the defenders have to communicate and watch us closely. If I-m alone in that area they can focus on me but now they have to focus on three, so there are more possibilities that they-re going to make a mistake and it gives me more chances to get in dangerous areas.”
His goals against the Heart, albeit one being a penalty, were trademark van Dijk. The power and accuracy of his spot kick to beat Clint Bolton in the Heart goal was first class, while the strike for his second saw him use strength, experience and a lethal left foot, features that have helped to make him one of the Hyundai A-League-s most prolific goal scorers.
Van Dijk attributes his first goals since October to the style of football the Reds have started to play, a style which is suiting the robust forward.
“I-m a striker that needs support because I-m not the Ronaldinho type that can dribble past everyone, so I guess if the team plays well it-s easier for me and yesterday was a good example,” van Dijk said.
While the result against the Heart was one to remember, there is little time for van Dijk and the Reds to soak it up as they host reigning champions Brisbane Roar at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday, a team that embarrassed United 7-1 when they met back in Week 4.
“Yesterday is yesterday and now we have to look ahead. We can enjoy it (the win over the Heart) for a couple of hours because it-s a short turnaround and we have to focus on Saturday because it-s another hard game, but if we can concentrate and continue working on our skills, I think we can put in another good performance.”
Tickets for the match are available through Ticketek.
