Melbourne Victory Head Coach Tony Popovic revelled in a “special night” after the Club’s FFA Cup triumph.
Victory secured the FFA Cup for a second time and first since 2015 with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Saturday.
Goals from Jason Davidson and Chris Ikonomidis helped Victory to its win, which secured a place in the AFC Champions League play-off round.
Speaking at his post-match news conference, Popovic discussed the game, delivering silverware and the spectacular goals scored by his side.
on the win…
“It hasn’t all fully sunk in yet, but it helps when you have this type of support and the crowd was just amazing and helped us tonight and I’m lucky to have a wonderful group of players who performed on the big stage tonight. I thought we played well, for a final we played well, controlled and dominated and we needed two special goals to win so it was befitting of a Final, two wonderful goals and some great performances so I’m delighted for everyone at the Club.”
on Victory winning silverware again…
“It’s a step forward, of course, and this Club was accustomed to winning trophies, challenging for honours constantly, regularly, expectations have always been high and we’ve brought that back now and today we had an opportunity to win something and we took that opportunity so I’m very happy for everyone, from the Chairman to the Board, everyone involved with the Club. It’s a special night and we’ll enjoy this victory tonight.”
on winning his first FFA Cup…
“Personally, I think it’s a little bit different as a coach because you’re always thinking for the great people that you work with and just to see their smiles tonight and see the fans so happy after probably a tough couple of years for everyone and with COVID, seeing the players happy, seeing the people around the Club, seeing their families delighted, I think that’s what pleases me most as a coach, my wonderful staff as well, and what I want now is I want everyone to enjoy this, enjoy the taste of success and want some more.”
on Davidson’s goal…
“That’s what you hope for in a big game. I thought we stepped up in our performance and we stepped up in the type of goals we scored. Marco (Rojas) made a great run to get to the edge of the box to win that foul. I thought second half we started really on the front foot and I felt it was a matter of time. It did take something special to break the deadlock and then Chris finished it off with another special goal. It will be a night that we’ll always remember and look back on fondly so tonight we enjoy it, we celebrate and players deserve it.”
on reaching the AFC Champions League play-off…
“First and foremost, the trophy is key for the Club. We get the added bonus, for the first time, to have a play-off spot in Asia. That’s certainly something that we want to achieve now. We’re there. Vissel Kobe is a wonderful Club, it will be a wonderful challenge, why not? We can go there, wherever we have to play, and have the confidence and belief that we can get through.”
