Arthur Diles bemoaned some missing ruthlessness as Melbourne Victory shared the points with Brisbane Roar in Round 17.
The hosts looked well placed to collect the maximum in Saturday’s Isuzu UTE A-League clash with the Roar, taking a deserved lead into the interval at AAMI Park.
But the visitors would improve following the restart, equalising through former Victory striker Nicholas D’Agostino, as a hard-fought encounter ended level.
Speaking during his post-match press conference, Diles looked at why the three points shrank to one in Victoria.
“We started the game ever so well, and were quite dominant, and things were looking great. We’re on top, but in the end, we weren’t clinical enough to just put the other one in.
“That game was there for us to score a second, and they were sitting there. They were vulnerable, and we just didn’t have the killer punch tonight, and in the end, it’s cost us.”
Victory’s goal was superbly taken by Charles Nduka, who latched onto Juan Mata’s exceptional pick out before finishing confidently to open his A-League goal account.
The man from Japan was making his second start in as many games since arriving in January, and Diles believes this is just the start for the striker.
“Charles is a fantastic player who’s going to get better and better with every game. Today, it wasn’t just his goal, that is so calm under pressure and a great finish, but his general play was excellent.
“He was a constant threat there, he couldn’t get bullied, if anything he was bullying them. He was great. I thought with and without the ball, he added so much value to us.
“We’re seeing the beginning of Charles, and there’s a high ceiling there. And he’ll continue to improve and get better, and the team will be better for it.”
Watch Diles’ full press conference below.
