“We didn’t deserve to win the game”. That was the message from Tony Popovic as the Melbourne Victory boss reflected on his side’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Western Sydney Wanderers.
‘WE NEED TO GET THEM BACK!’: RUDAN’S MISSION TO HAVE WANDERLAND ROCKING AGAIN
Buoyed by their ‘Big Blue’ success against Sydney FC and Nani’s home bow in the Isuzu UTE A-League, Victory fell short at AAMI Park, where the resurgent Wanderers preserved their perfect start to the season on Saturday night.
Nani hit the post in the 11th minute but the Wanderers looked comfortable from that point in Melbourne – Western Sydney snapping a five-match winless run against Victory via Tomislav Mrcela’s 41st-minute effort following the centre-back’s marauding run forward.
“Overall we didn’t deserve to win the game, so it’s simple,” Popovic said afterwards.
“We started off very well, the first 20 minutes, and then after that they were physically strong, they were dangerous on the break.
“There was a comedy of errors for the goal that we conceded.”
New-look Western Sydney are enjoying their best start to an A-League Men season in three years, with coach Mark Rudan delighting in their grit and character.
Mrcela’s goal four minutes before half-time proved the difference in front of 18,017 fans.
It is the first time Western Sydney have won their opening two games since 2019-20, and their first back-to-back wins since May 2021.
Wanderers, with Mrcela and full-back Adama Traore the only starters remaining from last season, controlled Saturday night’s clash.
“We nullified their main threats,” Rudan told reporters. “We were a bit anxious last week (against Perth).
“That anxiety wasn’t there as such today, but it’s never easy to come to a place like this which generates some of the best noise in the competition.
“They were very disciplined, they worked extremely hard for each other.
“The game plan was executed incredibly well and those last 10 minutes, when you’ve really got to roll up your sleeves and communicate and stay disciplined, the character shown by the players was fabulous.”
