Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton insists it hasn’t been tough to energise his charges ahead of their do-or-die encounter with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton insists it hasn’t been tough to energise his charges ahead of their do-or-die encounter with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Victory might have been forgiven for feeling deflated after putting in a disappointing showing against Newcastle last week when they lost 3-1 at AAMI Park.
But they will remain an outside chance of qualifying for their fourth consecutive finals series if they can account for the Sky Blues and Magilton said the players knew it was their duty to remain focused.
“It’s our job and it’s important that we recognise that we can’t lose focus, it’s impossible for us to lose focus because of the season we’ve had,” Magilton said at AAMI Park on Friday.
“It’s important that we send out the right signals, it’s important for our fans, it’s important for everyone connected with the football club that we’re focused on our jobs and we go out there and we’re fully committed.”
Magilton was under no illusions as to how tough it would be to claim all three points against Sydney, having played out two draws against the Sky Blues so far this season.
But the Northern Irishman firmly believed his team was capable of recording their sixth win of the campaign on the weekend.
“We respect their strengths and recognise that they’re going to be tough to break down but we’re ready and looking forward to it,” Magilton said.
“We obviously have to withstand anything they throw at us and come back with what we’ve got.”
“We’ve got enough quality in our side to win games of football.”
Magilton stressed the importance of his players maintaining concentration when they weren’t in possession of the ball and if they could do that, it would go a long way to ensuring a win.
“It’s making sure collectively we’re switched on when we haven’t got the ball and showing that resolve,” he said.
The last time Victory and Sydney locked horns, an 89th-minute equaliser from Sky Blues defender Sebastian Ryall denied Magilton’s men what would have been a deserved win on Australia Day.
And Magilton said that experience left him and his players in no doubt as to the importance of playing out the full 90 minutes, especially against a side like Sydney.
“To be fair to Sydney, they came at us in the second half here (AAMI Park) and showed great character,” Magilton said.
“So we recognise that they’re not going to pack in, they’re going to persevere, they’re going to keep going and we have to be able to match that.”
