Coach Steve Corica was happy to bank the three points from Sydney FC's 2-1 win at Central Coast, while admitting his team were poor in the first half.
The Sky Blues fell behind on 16 minutes at Central Coast Stadium, to a goal from former striker Matt Simon.
A penalty from Adam le Fondre just before the interval and a stunning long-distance strike from Brandon O'Neill earned victory for the visitors, in what Corica felt was the classic game of two halves.
The defending premiers struggled before the break, with Corica commenting: "It was just a poor, poor performance in the first half. The boys knew that - I told them at half-time.
It was just a poor, poor performance in the first half. The boys knew that - I told them at half-time.
Steve Corica
"Last week, we played well, we got nothing out of it, today we didn't play well. Second half was a little bit better but we come away with the three points."
Le Fondre's sixth goal in as many league games since his arrival in Australia helped the visitors settle down, after the windy conditions had affected their game in the first half.
Corica said: "We didn't get the ball down at all in the first half, everything was going long and we didn't pick up any second balls and we have to do a lot better. Once we started to play football, we looked a lot better team."
The Sky Blues coach confirmed he intended to offer O'Neill a new deal beyond the end of this season, though the club may struggle to keep hold of the 24-year-old who is in superb form.
The midfielder said after the game he retained an ambition to play overseas, adding: "That's just normal for any young lad who's plied his trade in his national league and is wanting a fresh and new challenge."
Sydney FC are 4/11 to win their next game against Wellington Phoenix, who are 13/2 with the draw 4/1.
The Sky Blues are 11/4 to win by a one-goal margin.
View all Soccer betting
Coach Steve Corica was happy to bank the three points from Sydney FC's 2-1 win at Central Coast, while admitting his team were poor in the first half.
The Sky Blues fell behind on 16 minutes at Central Coast Stadium, to a goal from former striker Matt Simon.
A penalty from Adam le Fondre just before the interval and a stunning long-distance strike from Brandon O'Neill earned victory for the visitors, in what Corica felt was the classic game of two halves.
The defending premiers struggled before the break, with Corica commenting: "It was just a poor, poor performance in the first half. The boys knew that - I told them at half-time.
It was just a poor, poor performance in the first half. The boys knew that - I told them at half-time.
Steve Corica
"Last week, we played well, we got nothing out of it, today we didn't play well. Second half was a little bit better but we come away with the three points."
Le Fondre's sixth goal in as many league games since his arrival in Australia helped the visitors settle down, after the windy conditions had affected their game in the first half.
Corica said: "We didn't get the ball down at all in the first half, everything was going long and we didn't pick up any second balls and we have to do a lot better. Once we started to play football, we looked a lot better team."
The Sky Blues coach confirmed he intended to offer O'Neill a new deal beyond the end of this season, though the club may struggle to keep hold of the 24-year-old who is in superb form.
The midfielder said after the game he retained an ambition to play overseas, adding: "That's just normal for any young lad who's plied his trade in his national league and is wanting a fresh and new challenge."
Sydney FC are 4/11 to win their next game against Wellington Phoenix, who are 13/2 with the draw 4/1.
The Sky Blues are 11/4 to win by a one-goal margin.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com