Theoklitos hoping to keep clear mind
The day of a major football game can often make or break a player once the match starts and for Melbourne Victory keeper Michael Theoklitos he will try and keep the game off his mind for as much as possible during the long day.
For the experienced keeper, stewing over the game all day, is only likely to do his head in, so he will relax and make sure he is only thinking about the game once he gets to the ground.
“It-s a tough one,” he said, when asked about he would prepare on game day. “You-ve got the whole day to relax and to think about it, so I just try to wind down; obviously think about it, but I try not to go over the top and do my head in over the game.
“It-s a long day but once you are out there, you just get out there and enjoy yourself and hopefully do the business.”
Theoklitos admits to have been quite calm during the week, but knows once he gets to the ground there will be a few pre-game nerves, although that-s not a bad thing.
“They (the nerves) have been quite calm. Obviously being there two years ago there is a lot of jitters, but having that experience, we are really concentrating on soaking up the atmosphere, rather than being nervous.
“It-s been really good; the team-s had a really good preparation and really looking forward to the match.
“Obviously you-ll have that pre-match jitters, that-s expected, but once you are out there, its another game. Obviously it-s a grand final and more at stake but we know what are doing out there and hopefully we can settle down fairly quickly and just play our attacking football that we know how to play.”
Running out to a sea of blue at the Telstra Dome is also something that Theoklitos is really looking forward to and the team is really looking forward to rewarding them with a second Championship.
“Obviously two years ago to have a packed stadium of 53-54,000 Melbourne supporters pretty much.
“It was a great atmosphere and all indications are that it will be a full house and I can-t wait to see that sea of blue and hopefully win the title and the Championship for our Melbourne Victory supporters, who have been great all year.
“Tonight is a new chapter in Melbourne Victory-s history and we want to create history again and be the first team to win two Championships in the A-League.
“So again really looking forward to it and if we do all the little things right, we can have a positive result and win that second Championship.” The Socceroos squad member is looking to keep a clean sheet and is confident even if they do concede they have the firepower to be in front at the final whistle.
“A clean sheet would be nice, but even if we concede a goal, we are confident that we can score two or three; so its just about attacking and having 11 players up for the battle and I am sure if we do there is a good chance we-ll win the game.
“We-ve had five good results against Adelaide and that brings confidence. In saying that it-s a grand final and anything can happen.
“We might have a bad day at the office and they might have a good day, so we are not taking anything for granted.
“We-ve played Adelaide so many times and we respect them; they are a very good football team and that-s why they are in the grand final.
“All we are doing is concentrating on what we can do, play that attacking style; have a clean sheet and score a few goals down the other end.”