Melbourne Victory head coach Marco Kurz labelled Robbie Kruse a “special player” after a 1-0 win over Perth Glory on Friday.
Kruse starred and scored the only goal of the game at AAMI Park, where Victory celebrated Leigh Broxham’s 300th appearance for the club with a win.
Making his first start since returning to the club, Kruse caused Perth constant problems and tapped in Andrew Nabbout’s cross for the match-winner.
Speaking at his post-match news conference, Kurz praised Kruse. discussed his team’s display and Broxham’s milestone.
on the game…
“It was a tough game. I think we started not perfect or not well, we had a moment with I think was a crossbar from Perth but then we came much better in the game and you saw after we scored the first goal then the players get self-confident, they started to play, to set up, to build up. I think it was a big game for the club, for all of us, with Broxy’s 300th and it was very important that we got the win. I think the boys they fought really well and that’s what we expect from the boys and at the end you need as well a little bit of game luck, but I think a good result and we are happy.”
on the late changes…
“It was also not easy. We had to change twice before we started the game. Stormy (Roux) came in and he was sick and then young (Brandon) Lauton has a little bit of a back injury after the warm-up. That means (Anthony) Lesiotis started, everything was not perfect but as a team we worked very hard.”
on Kruse…
“He’s a special player and I spoke with Robbie and we decided to let him start and he had to give me the signal how long and when he’s done, it’s done. But he’s a different player, it’s good to have him in the team, good to have him back. But now we must be a little bit careful with the load, it was the first time after maybe four, five months, close to 90 minutes, but he’s a very good player for us.”
on Tim Hoogland…
“It’s not injured. He felt during the week something in the same area only by long passes – that means he can sprint, he can play short passes, but only long passes he felt not comfortable. Then we stopped the idea to let him start because he’s for us too important a player. Now we’ll see how it is day by day the improvement, but it was too much risk to set him up and then we must see when he can play long kicks without issues, then he’s back.”
on Broxham…
“He’s a fantastic player, he reached a fantastic mark, 300 games and that’s in Australia, that means you don’t have 34 games or more in a season and he will be fit for the next years and will reach 400 for sure. It’s good to have him in the team and also we said before to give him a good present then we can celebrate in a good way with a win, it’s much better than with a draw or a loss.”
