“We made them look well below us,” was how Melbourne City head coach Dario Vidosic summed up his team’s Liberty A-League Grand Final loss to Sydney FC.
Shea Connors came off the bench and scored within two minutes to settle the Grand Final, which was played in front of more than 7,600 fans – the second largest attendance in a Liberty A-League decider.
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City finished with 71% possession and 14 shots but they still saw their flawless record in Grand Finals ruined by the Sky Blues. The Melbourne club had been four from four in deciders before Saturday evening.
“It’s not a nice feeling but I thought we dominated the game to be fair,” Vidosic said in his post-game press conference.
“To have close to 80% possession. We had one clearance off the line.
“They were desperate and defended very well. Got many numbers in behind which made it difficult. But so proud of the way they performed in a Grand Final with that much pressure.
“To perform like that against a good team and make them look well below par… all that was missing was the result. I can’t complain too much.
“If you replay that, nine times out of 10 we’re probably the winners.”
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When asked what he would do to address any potential post-Grand Final drop-off, Vidosic added: “There won’t be any drop off. That’s guaranteed. We will use this as motivation.
“Regardless, we still achieved a lot this season. To be Premiers, qualify for the Champions League next season.
“To put on a display of football we did tonight, they’re showing girls can play football.
“We limited a good team who have reached seven straight grand finals, We made them look well below us.”
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The future of City young gun and the Boost Young Footballer of the Year Daniela Galic was also discussed in the aftermath of the Grand Final loss.
The 17-year-old, dubbed the “future of Australian football”, enjoyed a breakout season as she was called up the Matildas for the first time as a train-on player.
She is expected to attract interest and Vidosic spoke about Galic’s future.
“I highly doubt she’ll go to any other A-League club,” Vidosic said.
“Unless she wants to sit in a block and run in transition, then maybe (smiling). But I think she enjoys the football we play. She is great.
“She is not for another A-Leagues club, she is for overseas. A talent like that doesn’t go A-League to A-League, she goes to NWSL (America) or WSL (England). I don’t imagine we will see her in any other colours in Australia.”
In terms of the City team in general, Vidosic said: “(The) majority of them will be there. I’m sure there will be interest.
“If anyone was watching tonight, they would’ve seen some good performances on the biggest of stages. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were more phone calls and fighting off overseas interest. There is something special in the group.”
