So how do you find that balance?

Yeah, bloody good question, mate.

And first of all, I'd just like to say that it's normal, mate.

Like, you're one of millions of parents that are in the same position.

So don't think that it's, you know, you're on your own with this because every parent is asking themselves the same question.

And I think a couple of things it comes down to for me is let the coaches coach because I think the kids have so many voices, say, on a Saturday afternoon or whatever.

They have... their own voice, they have their teammates' voice, they have the coaches' voice, they have their other parents' voice, we have your parents' or their parents' voice, and they don't know what to do.

um and as self-sabotaging as that is you kind of can't help as a parent but feel like in some way that's my fault i've done that i've pushed them away from something that they were enjoying so when you meet that little bit of resistance if it starts off as a little bit of resistance how how can you navigate that from a mindset point of view

So how do you find that balance?

Yeah, bloody good question, mate.

And first of all, I'd just like to say that it's normal, mate.

Like, you're one of millions of parents that are in the same position.

So don't think that it's, you know, you're on your own with this because every parent is asking themselves the same question.

And I think a couple of things it comes down to for me is let the coaches coach because I think the kids have so many voices, say, on a Saturday afternoon or whatever.

They have... their own voice, they have their teammates' voice, they have the coach's voice, they have their other parents' voice, we have your parents' or their parents' voice, and they don't know what to do.

um and as self-sabotaging as that is you kind of can't help as a parent but feel like in some way that's my fault i've done that i've pushed them away from something that they were enjoying so when you meet that little bit of resistance if it starts off as a little bit of resistance how how can you navigate that from a mindset point of view

Is New Zealand having a bit of a football moment? And can you compare it in any way to what you experienced back home in, you know, '05, '06 when the, when the Socceroos and the A-League were, uh, were breaking through to mainstream?

Yeah, I think they, they are.

Obviously the World Cup is important, um, for any player and, and country, I think.

So for them to be involved this time, they've b- haven't been in, in a World Cup for so long, and obviously the w- the format, uh, is helping them this time round.

So, you know, that's important.

Young kids will see that, you know, young k- the amount of Auckland shirts around, uh, around here now in the streets is, is amazing, you know, on, on kids especially.

So they, they've got something to look up to now.

Is there an, is there an itch to, to test yourself elsewhere that you're keen to scratch soon?

Has it been good to be able to celebrate with, with all of them?

Yeah, definitely.

Um, yeah, like the staff's, you know, obviously we're very tight as well, um, which is amazing.

Uh, the players are very tight as well, so that's, that's great as well.

Um, but yeah, Terry's obviously the one that pretty much started the club.

Um, had to get all the players together with myself and, uh, Doug Corrs as well, that we were the three that we were first in.

And, and getting all these local boys together and, uh, watching games and doing a lot of analysis on players and, and trying to get the right people in as well.

Do you, do you look around that squad and think to yourself, "There's, there's a number of names there that, that will be in my thinking for next year"?

Has it been good to be able to celebrate with, with all of them?

Yeah, definitely.

Um, yeah, like the staff's, you know, obviously we, we're very tight as well, um, which is amazing.

Uh, the players are very tight as well, so that's, that's great as well.

Um, but yeah, Terry's obviously the one that pretty much started the club.

Um, had to get all the players together with myself and, uh, Doug Corrs as well, that we were the three that we were first in.

And, and getting all these local boys together and, uh, watching games and doing a lot of analysis on players and, and trying to get the right people in as well.

... around that squad and think to yourself, "There's, there's a number of names there that, that will be in my thinking for next year"?

But, but how would you rate that win? Is it gonna be a walk in the park or is it gonna be a battle?

[laughs] Oh, it's definitely not gonna be easy.

Uh, not many of the Grand Finals I've been in have been easy.

You know, we're talking about two, two good teams.

Uh, it's gonna be very competitive.

I would say very physical.

Um, you know, I think whoever wants it the most will end up, you know, winning it.

You doing that this weekend?

So what really clicked from the group to get a result like that?

Um, just the belief, you know.

They, they believe that they can win this.

Um, we've, you know, that we've worked, worked hard all season.

Like I said, we've had our ups and downs, but we do believe we, we should have probably finished, um, you know, first or second definitely.

Um, and we had to do it the hard way.

We had to play that extra game straightaway, and I think actually from that game you could see a change in mentality.

But given the fact that that has given you home advantage, was that one of the great Sydney FC wins for you? [laughs]

So what really clicked from the group to get a result like that?

Um, just the belief.

You know, they, they believe that they can win this.

Um, we've, you know, that we've worked, worked hard all season.

Like I said, we've had our ups and downs, but we do believe we, we should have probably finished, um, you know, first or second definitely.

Um, and we had to do it the hard way.

We had to play that extra game straightaway, and I think actually from that game you could see a change in mentality.

Do you take much from that game or is it a clean slate, Coach?

You had it locked up until that devastating last goal, but you've seen enough, so are you confident? And how do you galvanize this group to head over to Australia and get the job done?

Yeah, we're confident.

Um, and like you said, we have gone through a lot this season, more than last season definitely.

Uh, with injuries, just everything.

Uh, it's been a up-and-down season a little bit.

Um, the boys have come through that.

We're in a, uh, the same position we were in last season coming into the last game.

... too far.

You had it locked up until that devastating last goal, but you've seen enough, so are you confident? And how do you galvanize this group to head over to Australia and get the job done?

Yeah, we're confident.

Um, and like you said, we have gone through a lot this season, more than last season definitely, uh, with injuries, just everything.

Uh, it's been a up and down season a little bit.

Um, the boys have come through that.

We're in a, uh, the same position we were in last season coming into the last game.

Um, obviously just this time round our first game's just got canceled out because it, it doesn't mean anything now.

Is it about resting up as much as possible this week so you can put your best team out there?

How's the group feeling? What are the keys to get a successful leg one done?

Um, I think just keep performing the way they, they have been doing.

Obviously, it would be nice to go w- with a lead, um, going to Adelaide, but uh, we had the lead last season and, you know, also, you know, you have to back it up in both games.

It's not just about the first game.

It's, it's, you know, it can get...

Anything can happen in, in over two legs.

So it's about probably consistency over the two legs, making sure that we get the job done.

[laughs]

Yeah

... obviously the ones after five, it's just who feel c- who feels confident, um, who wants to take one earlier on than, than, uh...

And Dan Hall was one of them actually.

Put his hand up, said he wanted a take, uh, so I put him straight after Hiroki, and, um, Hiroki's penalty was brilliant.

And then obviously Dan had the pressure on him to, to win the, win the game, and he, like you said, he hadn't scored for us.

So, um, but he took it really cool.

You could see him just before the penalty, deep breaths in and just, um, picked his spot.

How's the group feeling? What are the keys to get a successful leg one done?

How big was his presence, you know, not just in the shootout, but in last night's game on the

whole? He's been great.

Obviously, you know, we...

I left him out one game, obviously, with Oli Sale coming back in in the Perth game.

And he really responded from that, I think.

It's probably helped him.

I think he's, you know, been more focused as well, I think, since he's come back into the side and making some big saves for us.

What's that like? What's that messaging?

How big was his presence, you know, not just in the shootout, but in last night's game on the whole?

He's been great.

Obviously, you know, I left him out one game, obviously, with Oli Sale coming back in in the Perth game.

And he really responded from that, I think.

It's probably helped him.

I think he's, you know, been more focused as well, I think, since he's come back into the side and making some big saves for us.

Again, last night, you know, obviously in the penalty shootout, he did it in the...

What's that like? What's that messaging?

Talk us, uh, through, through the emotions of you as a manager, the, the team, and, and how you shake that off, uh, heading into the playoffs.

Um, yeah, [laughs] it was a, it was a s- well, it's football, isn't it? You know, that's the way football goes.

We knew we had to win the game to, to be safe, uh, to be in one or two.

Um, but obviously, you know, we fought back really hard in, in the Sydney game.

It was, it was a tough game.

Obviously we, we were behind twice.

We fought back twice to get a draw and, and almost was enough, uh, the draw.

Is there anything that you've seen throughout the week that-

Talk us, uh, through, through the emotions of you as a manager, the, the team and, and how you shake that off, uh, heading into the playoffs.

Um, yeah.

[laughs] It was a, it was a s- well, it's football, isn't it, you know? That's the way football goes.

We knew we had to win the game to, to be safe, uh, to be in one or two.

Um, but obviously, you know, we fought back really hard in, in the Sydney game.

It was, it was a tough game.

Obviously we, we were behind twice.

Is there anything that you've seen throughout the week that-

Do, do you feel like there's some unfair officiating going on at the moment for you and the team, Steve?

Um, I, I wouldn't say unfair just for us.

I would just say I think the referees haven't been great.

I think, you know, that, that is a clear red card on Kozi, you know.

I think everyone could see that he actually did it on purpose.

Uh, for them to call him over to the VAR to look at it as well, they're suggesting it's a red card.

So obviously he's made his own decision.

What, what has been the focus to turn those into, to goals and give yourself that momentum out of those teams leading into the playoffs?

Do, do you feel like there's some unfair officiating going on at the moment for you and the team, Steve?

Um, I, I wouldn't say unfair just for us.

I would just say I think the referees haven't been great.

I think, you know, that, that is a clear red card on Cosi.

You know, I think everyone could see that he actually did it on purpose.

Uh, for them to call him over to the VAR to look at it as well, they're suggesting it's a red card.

So obviously he's made his own decision, and, and something lit- well, not little, but a big thing like that in the game can change that very quickly with, if they go down to 10 men.

What, what has been the focus to turn those into, to goals and give yourself that momentum out of those teams leading into the playoffs?

What, what do you think is the, the problem there? Just why you haven't been able to have success at, at home?

I th- I think, uh, well, I think we as a team, as, and the players feel like they, 'cause we're at home, we have to do something a little bit different than away and go more attacking, which, um, which we don't really, because I think we're attacking away from home anyway.

We create a lot of chances.

Um, but we, we seem to be giving away, obviously, a couple of goals, cheap goals, uh, individual errors m- mainly.

Um, we're scoring goals, but you know, you know, two [laughs] you score two goals, you expect to win the game.

So, um, but we were chasing that game as well because we were on the back foot, um, from the start, um, which I didn't like as well.

The first half wasn't a great performance.

Um, in, in terms of making sure that they've got enough ball to work with, is that something that's a, a, a continual thing for the club to making sure that those channels are open and, and the midfield is operating effectively?

Hey, um, just in regards to, to being at home, like what, what are the challenges? What, what do you think is the, the problem here, just why you haven't been able to have success at, at home?

I, I think the...

Well, I think we as a team, as, and the players feel like they, 'cause we're at home, we have to do something a little bit different than away and go more attacking, which, um, which we don't really, because I think we're attacking away from home anyway.

We create a lot of chances.

Um, but we, we seem to be giving away, obviously, a couple of goals, cheap goals, uh, individual errors mo- mainly.

Um, we're scoring goals, but you know, you know, two [laughs] you score two goals, you expect to win the game.

So, um, but we were chasing that game as well because we were on the back foot, um, from the start, um, which I didn't like as well.

Um, in, in terms of making sure that they've got enough ball to work with, is that something that's a, a, a continual thing for the club to making sure that those channels are open and, and the midfield is operating effectively?

How, how, how's the mentality of, of all the players at the moment? Everyone's okay?

Yeah, they're all good.

Um, Gus Lemos will be probably the only one missing the game after, after the concussion.

He obviously passed all his tests on, on field.

Um, there was two doctors there, obviously the, the physio as well.

Passed all the tests he had to on the field, but I think the next day he's got a bit of a headache.

Um, our doctor had a look at him again and, and, um, yeah, obviously, you know, they've ruled him out this week.

Uh, uh, did that answer any questions for you?

How, how, how's the mentality of, of all the players at the moment? Everyone's okay?

Yeah, they're all good.

Um, Kushema will be probably the only one missing the game after, after the concussion.

He obviously passed all his tests on, on field.

Um, there was two doctors there, obviously the, the physio as well.

Passed all the tests he had to on the field, but I think the next day he's got a bit of a headache.

Um, our doctor had a look at him again and, and, um, yeah, obviously, uh, they've ruled him out this week, so, um, you know, a bit disappointing for him as well, I think.

Uh, uh, did that answer any questions for you?

Nice.

Uh, Nando Pynakker as well coming back into the squad, which is, which is great for us obviously with Francis out.

So, um, you know, they're, I wouldn't say they're fully fit, but they're, they're available to play.

Um, you know, Nando played in, in the in-house game.

He played 45 minutes in that, which was great for him.

Uh, Hiroki hasn't managed to do that yet, so he's only had, uh, two sessions fully with us.

So probably a little bit of, little bit of a stretch to, to expect him to play 90 minutes, but, uh, it, it's good to have him back in the squad 'cause he's a real leader and, and you know, for these final games it's, it's important that we keep him fit and, and available.

Yeah.

Nice.

Uh, Nando Pineda as well, coming back into the squad, which is, which is great for us obviously with Francis out.

So, um, you know, they're, I wouldn't say they're fully fit, but they're, they're available to play.

Um, you know, Nando played in, in the in-house game.

He played 45 minutes in that, which is great for him.

Uh, Hiroki hasn't managed to do that yet, so he's only had, uh, two sessions fully with us.

So probably a little bit of, little bit of a stretch to, to expect him to play 90 minutes, but, uh, it, it's good to have him back in the squad 'cause he's a real leader and, and you know, for these final games is, it's important that we keep him fit and, and available.

Ah.

You know, from a coaching point of view, like, what- what's appropriate in that situation? Is it thunder and lightning, or does it have to be a little bit more focused and gentle?

Um, yeah, it j- it just depends, I suppose, 'cause that's why I don't really like speaking to 'em straight after the game, especially after a loss.

Um, you know, I was very frustrated throughout the game 'cause, you know, we weren't doing what, what I just had expected and, you know, we've had a really good week training as well, which was surprising that we didn't perform then.

Um, but the, you know, we have to work out why they, why they felt like that, you know.

Did we train too hard? So we, we...

It's not just putting it back on them, it's also looking at ourself.

Did we train 'em too hard? Um, did we do something wrong during the week? Um, you know, we- we look at everything, um, not just, you know, the, just the- the performance alone and- and what leads up to it.

this next, uh, uh, block of games?