Interim Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic has hailed the belief of his players after they came from behind and then survived Surat Sukha’s late send-off to revive their AFC Asian Champions League hopes.
Interim Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic has hailed the belief of his players after they came from behind and then survived Surat Sukha’s late send-off to revive their AFC Asian Champions League hopes.
Under 10 minutes before half-time at Docklands Stadium the home side conceded a goal to Chen Tao but their response was impressive as Carlos Hernandez hauled his team level with a free kick nearing the break before Kevin Muscat’s penalty turned the match on its head.
The drama didn’t end there though as Sukha was given his marching orders in the 82nd minute and the visitors laid siege to Victory’s goal but Durakovic’s men held firm much to his delight.
“The boys never stopped from the start until the end of the game,” Durakovic said.
“It was a fantastic result.”
“I thought the boys played really well in the first half and then the second half we battled but if we had put those chances away we could’ve come away with a 3 or 4-1 win.”
“Having said that the boys played well.”
“There is belief in this squad, there is always a belief in these players.”
Durakovic was also full of praise for both Hernandez and youngster Mathew Foschini.
“He absolutely did quite well tonight,” Durakovic said of Foschini.
“Matthew had a really good game in China, it works wonders when you give a young kid belief. I’ve got no qualms playing him week in, week out.”
“(And) Carlos has been fantastic.”
“He has been unbelievable the last two weeks, full credit to him.”
With Matthew Kemp unavailable until next season because of injury and Sukha to now miss the final home game in the group stage against Gamba Osaka on May 4 through suspension, Durakovic could also have to replace striker Robbie Kruse.
Kruse was stretchered off with a knee injury after the break but Durakovic is hopeful he will be fit to face Gamba Osaka, while he also indicated either Petar Franjic or Diogo Ferreira is likely to come in for Sukha.
“The physios are looking at him right now, he did his knee apparently, (but) I think he should be OK,” Durakovic said of Kruse.
“We’ll work hard on the pitch and whoever does well in the training sessions will get the call-up (to replace Sukha).”
