Melbourne City are disappointed over A-League’s decision to move their home semi-final to Sydney – but will use it as ‘motivation’
Melbourne City Captain Scott Jamieson has labelled the decision to move the team’s home semi-final to Sydney ‘utterly disappointing’, but says the A-League premiers will take an ‘anyone, anywhere, anytime’ approach to their finals campaign.
With crowds currently banned in Melbourne, City had hoped to play their home semi-final behind closed doors at AAMI Park.
But on Thursday, the A-League moved the game to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium to allow fans to attend – a boost for opponents Macarthur FC, who are based in south-western Sydney.
Not bothered: Melbourne City Captain Scott Jamieson has labelled the decision to move the team’s home semi-final to Sydney ‘utterly disappointing’, but says the A-League premiers will take an ‘anyone, anywhere, anytime’ approach to their finals campaign
‘(We’re) obviously disappointed. The decision to take it away from the team that earnt it is utterly disappointing,’ Jamieson told reporters on Friday.
‘But at the same time the decision has been made, (APL commissioner) Greg (O’Rourke) made the decision and that’s on Greg and his team.
‘So it is what it is – we move forward and that’s all you can do.’
Jamieson said City had privately expressed their frustrations and planned to say what they ‘really think’ in the future, but have turned their focus to Sunday’s game.
Not on: With crowds currently banned in Melbourne, City had hoped to play their home semi-final behind closed doors at AAMI Park (pictured)
‘We let everyone say their piece yesterday and air their frustrations internally, and then we had a good sleep and then now we’re ready to train,’ Jamieson said.
‘… The ultimate test is now we’ve got an opposition against Macarthur on Sunday and that game was going to be tough, whether it was in Melbourne or whether it was in New South Wales.
‘So where we play, who we play is not the issue.
‘We’re going to run with and go with the motto, ‘anyone, anywhere, anytime’ and ultimately … (the) feelings that we hold will be aired at a different time.’
On: But on Thursday, the A-League moved the game to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (pictured) to allow fans to attend – a boost for opponents Macarthur FC, who are based in south-western Sydney
The final relocation is another blow to City’s championship hopes after they lost Socceroos Jamie Maclaren, Connor Metcalfe and Curtis Good for the finals.
Jamieson, who will become City’s A-League games record holder on Sunday with his 104th appearance for the club, cited the finals campaign as an opportunity to deliver a backs-to-the-wall success story.
‘You’re missing three players in ultimately the biggest showpiece of the season, we’ve had to move games,’ Jamieson said.
Eyes on the prize: ‘The ultimate test is now we’ve got an opposition against Macarthur (pictured) on Sunday and that game was going to be tough, whether it was in Melbourne or whether it was in New South Wales,’ Jamieson said
‘The odds are stacked up against us and people have questioned our recent form.
‘So look, it’s a great story, it is. It’s one to be written about but it’s one for us to play out.’
‘Essentially there’s a lot happening and as a team and as a club it’s a great test for us.’
Don’t hold back: Jamieson, who will become City’s A-League games record holder on Sunday with his 104th appearance for the club, cited the finals campaign as an opportunity to deliver a backs-to-the-wall success story