After a 4-1 demolition of Adelaide last night, a happy Macarthur FC coach Ante Milicic heaped praise on his centre forward Apostolos Giannou.
The former Socceroo, who joined the club after the Christmas break, scored his first goal for the Bulls just three minutes before the break. As you can see from the picture, he was chuffed to get that monkey off his back.
It was also a very important goal for the team, which had been trailing 1-0 for much of the first half, despite a raft of chances involving Craig Noone and Giannou.
Three more goals in the second half sealed the victory, the first for the Bulls in six games, putting a smile on the coach’s face for the first time in quite a while.
“It was a well taken goal by Apo and as all strikers will tell you it’s good to get that first goal for your club,’’ he said.
“I have worked with him before in a different capacity, and I know that he’s very intelligent player.
“If Apo can stay fit and keep working on those combinations with his teammates, especially in the final third, I’d like to think there will be more goals coming from him,’’ Milicic said.
“He’s been fantastic since coming here, he’s a great professional and Apo wants to do well here, his first stint in the A-League.’’
Milicic said the Giannou goal just before the halftime break was important because it tilted momentum towards his side.
“Look, our performance was excellent tonight, to come from a goal behind,’’ he said.
“I am sure it will bring confidence to the group.’’
The scores were locked at 1-1 until Bulls skipper Ulises Davila was brought down inside the box, earning his team a penalty 65 minutes in.
Craig Noone scored off the rebound to make it 2-1.
Seven minutes later substitute El Hassan Toure also scored his maiden goal for the Bulls to make it 3-1.
Michael Ruhs scored his first for the season during injury time, to give his team and their home fans at Campbelltown Stadium a well earned 4-1 victory.
The Bulls, who have moved up to fifth on the ladder, are off to Tasmania for a mid-week clash with bottom placed Perth Glory.
