Proud of the effort: Mile Sterjovski moments after the final whistle on Monday night. Picture: South West Voice Photography.
It’s true that so far Macarthur FC fans have been outnumbered by Western Sydney Wanderers supporters when the clubs clash at Campbelltown in the A-League.
It’s likely to again be the case again tomorrow night (Saturday, November 1) when the Bulls host the Wanderers in round three of the competition.
Mile Sterjovski, the head coach of the Bulls, was asked about it at the presser on Monday night, following his side’s 2-1 win over Adelaide at Campbelltown Stadium.
“I don’t think the players notice that kind of thing, they just enjoy playing in big games in front of big crowds,’’ was Sterjovski’s response to the journalist.
And I dare say he’s right, but I also think Sterjovski and the Bulls would love to see the day when their supporters vastly outnumber the Wanderers fans, at least here in Campbelltown.
The cow bells will get a good run but it won’t matter too much either way tomorrow night; what will, as usual, is the three points up for grabs.
Bragging rights from a derby win is one thing, but don’t count for much in the push to play finals football.
And that’s exactly what the Bulls have their eyes on this season, according to defender Callum Talbot, who joined the herd at Campbelltown ahead of this season.
“We want to win every game, because making the finals is minimum for us this season,’’ he told the media conference this morning at Campbelltown.
That certainly seemed to be what happened on Monday night, a mighty effort from everyone despite an interrupted preparation following the team’s return from Vietnam after the ACL 2 round three fixture.
A few of the boys came down with a stomach bug on the way home from Vietnam and were unavailable for selection against Adelaide three days later.
Sterjovski noted that in his media conference: “The effort, it was great, and winning, even though we didn’t play that well,’’ he said, singling out – who else – goalkeeper Filip Kurto.
“He saved the match for us,’’ he said, and it was no exaggeration.
The Pole has been a rock for the Bulls since joining them for the 2021-22 season, and at 34 he’s like good red wine, getting better with age.
He will be key tomorrow night against the Wanderers, who will be looking for their first win of the season.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7.35pm.
