A-League: Sydney FC goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic confident side about to hit form

THE headlines might have been about Sydney FC’s misfiring attack once more, but goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic is adamant that the Sky Blues are poised to repeat last year’s surge of form to the finals.

THE headlines might have been about Sydney FC’s misfiring attack once more, but goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic is adamant that the Sky Blues are poised to repeat last year’s surge of form to the finals.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Wellington featured a brilliant goal from marquee Filip Holosko, but also saw Sydney miss a penalty and hit the bar, as chances went begging once more.

Graham Arnold’s side remain stuck on fourth, six points off the summit, but have the comfort of an excellent defensive record with only three goals conceded in the last five games.

But Janjetovic calmed any twitchiness about Sydney’s attack, noting the success of his back line had come from a lengthy focus on making a side that shipped goals last season a lot more miserly.

“We’re not getting frustrated, because everyone knows that what we’re trying to achieve takes time,” Janjetovic said.

“It was well documented that we had problems with our defence last year, we got a lot of stick for that and the number of goals we conceded, so it’s been a major focus to fix that this year.

“It took time to do that, but now you’re seeing the results; and getting the front half of the pitch firing fully will also take time, though the signs are promising already.

“The key thing is to be patient, the boys are gelling more each week, and we know that all the while, if we can continue to keep tight defensively and jag a goal or two, we’ll still be very much in the running.

“If you look at where we were at this time last year, we’re at a very similar level in terms of points and goals. The important thing then is that we really took off in the second half of the season, and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same this time around.”

Janjetovic made a series of saves against Wellington and was beaten only by a late penalty, for the second week in a row.

But ahead of the Boxing Day clash with the Mariners, the goalkeeper predicted a change of fortune was imminent.

“I can’t complain about my own personal form, but the most important thing is how we’re performing as a team and I think you’ve seen the fruits of the work and effort that everyone is putting in.

“We’ve worked a lot on structure and it shows on the pitch. The Phoenix game was another when we felt like we’ve been a bit unlucky. To a degree you make your own luck but calls have gone against us that on another day we might get.

“The ball’s round and you don’t know which way it’ll bounce, that’s the beauty of football, but there’s a definite feeling that at some pointer — sooner rather than later- things will start running for us.

Originally published as A-League: Sydney FC goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic confident side about to hit form