Nishan Velupillay felt Melbourne Victory produced a strong performance in a 2-1 FFA Cup win over the Gold Coast Knights on Thursday.
Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio cancelled out Cai Tipaldo’s opener in the Round of 16 clash at the Croatian Sports Centre before Victory needed extra-time.
Will Wilson scored a tremendous goal with the outside of his foot to send Victory into a quarter-final against Adelaide United, to be played at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday.
Velupillay, who set up Lawrie-Lattanzio’s equaliser and was a constant threat, was pleased with the performance.
“A tough 120 minutes. Good game though, probably entertaining for the fans,” he said.
“I thought we played well, there were ebbs and flows in the game, but I thought overall we were pretty good.”
Velupillay played a nice through ball for Lawrie-Lattanzio’s equaliser and regularly set up team-mates for good opportunities, before squandering his own chance late on.
The 20-year-old was satisfied with his own display on the Gold Coast.
“I thought I played pretty well, on and off the ball. Obviously, there are areas to improve and I’m always looking to improve,” Velupillay said.
“But it’s the first 120 minutes I’ve played in a while I think and I thought I played pretty well.”
Lawrie-Lattanzio and Wilson both scored their first senior goals, with the latter’s a fantastic strike for the winner.
“I played with him all throughout the years, he’s one of my good mates, so glad for him to score his first goal,” Velupillay said of Wilson.
“He’s good on the ball, he runs a lot, he’s a pleasure to play with.”