Zullo relishes hot home form
Young winger Michael Zullo is revelling in Queensland Roar’s newfound home form, but knows the hard work in pushing for a finals berth has only just begun.
Two wins from the past two Suncorp Stadium outings has helped push the Roar to third place on the Hyundai A-League ladder with six rounds of the competition remaining.
The lively left winger stressed the importance of the Roar-s second consecutive home win, with a tight race for the finals ahead.
“I don-t think many people realise how important those three points were, especially with how close the league is this year.
“We-re still only four points away from sixth I think so we-re still not safe yet but obviously that was a vital three points so we-re very happy with it.”
Zullo, highlighted by coach Frank Farina as one of the side-s key performers against the Jets, revealed he feared the worst when his 87th minute shot bounced back off the frame of the Newcastle Jets goal in the Roar-s crucial home win last night.
With the scores locked at 1-1, Danny Tiatto hit the post from long range before Zullo-s follow-up left the youngster feeling the team was destined for another frustrating night at Suncorp Stadium.
But the Roar got their just rewards three minutes later when Sergio van Dijk deftly flicked Tiatto-s cross into the back of the net, much to the relief of Zullo.
“It was ridiculous,” Zullo said. “The shirt was already half off ready to go.
“I thought it was going to be the same Suncorp story all over again when that happened.
“It-s happened a couple of times where we-ve been on the wrong side (of a late win) at Suncorp so the feeling of euphoria when (van Dijk-s goal) went in was amazing.
“We-re all over the moon for him. We know that he has it in him and we see him every day at training deliver the goods.
“Obviously Teets (Tiatto) was unlucky with his first attempt that hit the back of the ‘keeper but that was all right, at least we won the game.”
The 20-year-old said the energy given by the crowd and the team-s young talents proved vital in getting the winner.
“Probably the turning point was when Jobe Wheelhouse got sent off,” he said. “The crowd really got into it from then on and pushed us over the line.
“A bit of youth adds a bit of energy to the squad and obviously if you-re good enough, you-re old enough.
“I think as long as you-ve got a good mix of experience on the other side which we definitely have with Tiatto, Moorey (Craig Moore), (Josh) McCloughan and Charlie (Miller) when he-s fit, it doesn-t matter how many youngsters are in there.”
Queensland Roar take a break this weekend due to Adelaide United-s Club World Cup commitments, but will look for a third consecutive home win against the Wellington Phoenix on Sunday, December 28 at 6pm.