Absolutely positively Melbourne
JEALOUS yes, regretful no. When assessing whether or not Marco Rojas made the right decision to up sticks and take his considerable talents to Melbourne it is easy to come to the conclusion no. Stuck on the bench for most of the first half of the season under previous coach Mehmet Durakovic, Rojas has broken into the Victory’s starting XI under Jim Magilton.
But while the attacking livewire from Hamilton is starting to again produce quality performances on a consistent basis, he is doing so for a club out of finals reckoning.
On the other hand, the team Rojas left in the off-season, tonight’s opponents Wellington Phoenix, are flying high in fourth place with their brand of no-frills, never-say-die football.
But says the only person whose opinion actually matters ...
‘‘I’m happy here and I’m sure that I made the right decision for me,’’ Rojas said.
‘‘Of course I wish I was playing in the finals but I’m happy for them. They’ve been doing well and hopefully they continue to do well. Apart from this Friday.’’
Rojas says he has remained positive throughout the Victory’s turbulent season.
One of the title favourites when the
‘‘I don’t think my confidence was taking too many hits. I mean it was frustrating not being able to play week-in and week-out and that’s probably what hit me more, the frustration. But I’ve always had the confidence that once I started going I could get back to playing like that and stay in the team.’’
A big help in maintaining that focus and self-belief during Victory’s rocky season has been the presence of his family, who live in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
‘‘My mum, my dad and my sister all came over and my girlfriend was over for the last six months but she’s gone back to do a bit of study in New Zealand.
‘‘It has been good for me, to have people around to help me out. They’ve got part-time jobs so they’re happy with the balance of working and enjoying Melbourne.’’
A-league aside, Rojas has plenty to sink his teeth into this year.
He starred for the All Whites in their 3-2 loss against Jamaica and joins the New Zealand under-23 team in Taupo tomorrow for the Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament.
‘‘It has been good just to get consecutive games under my belt, get a bit of confidence back playing and getting the match fitness back. I’m just working hard and making sure that I become a better player.’’