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Aloisi vows to deliver

1 October 2008 | 15:55 - SBS EXCLUSIVE: Philip Micallef

Under pressure ... Sydney FC striker John Aloisi (Getty Images)

Marquee striker John Aloisi has made a promise to the disappointed Sydney FC fans who are still waiting for him to fire up: “Give me time and I will deliver”.


The Socceroos hero signed for Sydney in the off-season after leading Central Coast Mariners to last season’s Grand Final.

In his first season in Australian football after a career that took him to the big leagues of England, Italy and Spain, Aloisi became an instant hit with the Mariners.

Yet he is struggling to leave his mark on a Sydney side that lost its first match of the season against Wellington Phoenix at the weekend. He has yet to open his scoring account.

Aloisi is the first to admit that his form in Sydney’s colours is below par.

“Last year I came to the Mariners fitter but this year I’ve been out for seven months because I was injured first with my knee then with my foot,” Aloisi explained.

“I didn’t play in the pre-season games and I only started playing just a few weeks ago.

“I haven’t fitted in that well but I’ll get better and I’ll start scoring goals. I have no problems with that especially when I’ll get stronger physically.

“I’ve only played three games and I’m still getting to know my fellow striker Mark Bridge and other teammates and they are getting to know me.

“I might make a certain run that they don’t expect because they have not played with me before.

“Or I might expect a certain pass and they might play a different pass.

“These things usually come good after playing with each other a lot more.

“At the Mariners we played with two up front but in Sydney I’m playing in a deeper role so I don’t get involved that much.”

Aloisi said he could understand the frustration of those Sydney fans who are still waiting for Aloisi to start banging the goals in.

“The fans want to see me scoring. That’s normal. But I’m confident in my ability. Wherever I’ve been I’ve scored goals and there is no reason to believe that it’s going to be any different here," he said.

“Whether it’s this week or the following week, eventually I’ll start scoring and the team will win a lot more games.

“Each game I’m getting fitter and I’m confident that once I get that first goal many more will come.

“I mean, with a bit of luck against Wellington I could have had two or three goals.

“Eventually those chances will go in so what I’m saying to the fans is ‘be patient because I will deliver’.”

Aloisi was at a loss to explain the 2-1 defeat suffered in Wellington that came a week after Sydney crushed Adelaide United 3-0.

“I really don’t know what happened,” Aloisi said of the shock loss.

“We thought we were going to win the game the way we were playing in the first half.

“We were a lot better then them and then just before halftime they had that one chance and made it 1-1 and they started to lift after that.

“It was disappointing not to came away with something. It was just one of those games. I still think we have a great chance of winning the championship.”

Aloisi is looking forward to the weekend home clash with Queensland Roar at the Sydney Football Stadium.

“It will be a massive game because Queensland are a very dangerous team away from home,” Aloisi said.

“I reckon I’m due for a goal and on Saturday I hope to open my account,” he said.

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