After starting the group stage with two losses, MetroStars have gone on somewhat of a tear—winning three of their last four matches and drawing away to Group D winners APIA.
“The team has stuck together through a really difficult group stage, and the response in our last four performances showed what we’re capable of,” said Graystone via email.
“Now it’s about backing that up and taking that confidence and momentum against Heidelberg.
“We know the last month hasn’t been smooth, but the character we showed to get [those wins] is what matters.
“It’s a quarter final now. There is no fear, no excuses, no distractions—let’s just go and play our football.”
Graystone believes their group-stage troubles and the quality of opponents they faced have aided his side in getting to their best.
“We’ve come through a tough run of injuries and away fixtures within a very strong group, especially with the result at home against Bayswater and away against Wests APIA,” he said.
“We have worked hard on building our character in these key matches and we will be looking to bring that into the quarter final.”
Heidelberg United are one of the favourites for this competition, and Graystone is under no illusions that it will be anything other than a challenge.
“If we are going to win this competition, we will have to beat the very best and at the moment Heidelberg represent the pinnacle of football in Victoria,” he admitted.
“We have matched it with NSW [and] beaten WA—now it’s time to see how we compare to the best teams in Victoria.”
Rather than be daunted by the challenge, Graystone says it’s exactly what he and his team want.
“Moments like these are why we work the way we do,” he said, “A quarter final in the Australian Championship, in Melbourne with everything on the line—we can’t wait to go and give it our best for everyone involved with the club.”
Kick-off is at 3:35 p.m. (AEDT) on Saturday, November 22 at Olympic Park in Heidelberg West.
