01-23-2007, 06:52 AM
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Quote:
Herbert delighted with finish
Monday, 22 January, 2007 - 5:01PM
Brenton Vannisselroy, Sportal
Neil Emblen
Neil Emblen
With the future of the New Zealand Knights still to be finalised, coach Ricki Herbert was delighted the club put together their best performance of the season to end version two of the Hyundai A-League.
The Knights cruised to a 2-0 victory over the Perth Glory on Sunday evening after first half goals from Neil Emblen and Malik Buari. The three points allowed the club to move to within a point of Perth in seventh place.
"I think tonight was probably the best that we have played. Perth are a decent side and to be fair I think we dominated the game for long periods," Herbert said.
"Who would have said four weeks ago that we would be one point behind Perth? I think it is a massive achievement."
Herbert is still "not sure" what exactly has transformed the Knights into a club that was unbeaten in its last four matches.
"We threw what we believed was a different way of playing and I think within that style has brought out a little more confidence, a little more belief, a little more opportunity to try things," he said.
Former Knights skipper Neil Emblen believes the squad has been a completely different outfit after defeating the Queensland Roar in round 18.
"The amount of confidence that the lads got from that game, the way we outplayed them, we played them off the park," Emblen said.
"Confidence is massive in football and you can just tell that the boys are playing so much more freely and really enjoying playing together."
Emblen praised the obvious talent of Leilei Gao for the upsurge in the Knights' performances, but he also singled out left back Dean Gordon for his impact on the squad.
"We haven't lost a game with Deano been playing. To be a New Zealand Knights player and to never lose a game is a feat in itself," Emblen said.
Emblen hopes Sunday's performance will go some way to ensuring the survival of the club.
"The good thing the lads have done is give the club the best chance of there being a club next year," Emblen said.
Personally the 35-year-old has a desire to return to the club next season and add to his 32 appearances, but he is aware that several decisions must be made before this can happen.
"If that opportunity is there then I would love to," Emblen said.
| Credit - A-League.com.au |
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