Kalmar set for stardom

Few had heard of Nick Kalmar, a speculative choice from the state league, before a week ago.

Now the tall, imposingly-built 22-year-old has scored goals in successive A-League matches, including the winner in Heart's maiden victory over North Queensland Fury on Saturday.

Kalmar was expected to be a bit-part player at best for Heart, signed after a solid Victorian Premier League career with Altona Magic - and most recently Oakleigh Cannons.

But he has now cemented a first-team spot, won the confidence of coach John van't Schip, and scored against Perth Glory in last weekend's 2-2 draw before making himself a match-winning hero against Fury.

His workrate, ability to break down attacks and a nose for goal have made him Heart's most consistent player this season.

All just weeks after securing his first professional contract.

"I've been pinching myself ever since I came to the club and I'm very humbled to be among the players I am here," Kalmar said.

"The coaching staff have had a lot of faith in me and telling me to go out, and that I have nothing to lose. I go out every game with that attitude."

Kalmar's 11th-minute goal proved the decider against Fury, ghosting in at the far post to head home.

It helped erase the devastation of Heart's draw with Perth the previous week because of a controversial late penalty to Glory striker Michael Baird for what appeared a clear dive.

Kalmar admitted the penalty - for which Baird was hammered with a two-week ban for simulation afterwards - stung the Heart players and set a test of character for the Fury match.

"That definitely hurt us. We felt we'd worked very hard and for half-an-hour in the dressing-room we were all hurting as a group," Kalmar said.

"But we put it aside once we got to training the next day, and we moved on from that pretty quick.

"It shows just how close and strong we are as a group."