Melbourne Victory head coach Arthur Diles has fired back at critics of the opening months of his tenure at the club after guiding his side to the Isuzu UTE A-League Semi-Finals, and a two-legged bout against Premiers Auckland FC.
Diles oversaw an impressive 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Saturday night’s Elimination Final; the slender win on the road earned Victory a place in the final four of the Finals Series, with a first-leg clash against Auckland at AAMI Park on Saturday, May 17 to look forward to before the return leg at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, May 24.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE FINALS
SEMI-FINALS LOCKED IN: What you need to know as Victory, Western United progress to final four
Diles took over as head coach of Victory in December after head coach Patrick Kisnorbo’s shock departure from the role, just seven games into his tenure at the club.
Victory had lost just one game in that time period, and had five wins and one draw to their name before Kisnorbo’s exit.
Diles oversaw three draws and three defeats in his first six games at the helm, but has lost just three of his last 14 games en route to the Semi-Finals.
MATCH REPORT: Inspired Arzani leads Victory to final four as Wanderers’ 3,303-day finals drought rolls on
After Saturday’s knockout win over the Wanderers, Diles was asked in his post-game press conference to identify what’s changed since those first six games of his tenure to facilitate his side’s surge to the Finals Series, and onto the Semi-Finals.
“That question, for me, is a frustrating one,” he said.
“Because when you talk about the struggle for wins, a lot of people were making it out like we went six games with six losses. There were a lot of draws there. We didn’t get caught up in that too much.
“The process during that was great from us. The results weren’t there, but the football was good and there were a lot of draws. We knew we’d just stick to the plan and keep going, and then we’ll roll, and it will turn. And it did.
“In the end, we’ve never lost belief. They’ve got trust in that changeroom as well, and they’ve got massive belief in their ability – and so do we. We’ve got belief in the players. They just keep getting better and better.
“We’re not where we need to be yet, there’s still growth in us, absolutely. But now, it’s just about getting ready for game by game.”
Diles then emphasised the need for his side to retain their “kill or be killed” attitude heading into the Semi-Finals, where they’ll need to be at their very best to knock out the Premiership-winning Black Knights and reach the 2025 Grand Final.
“The season’s done, and we’ve got to be in the mentality of: kill or be killed. That’s what it is now. There’s no second chance. That’s the mentality, that’s the mindset we need, and that’s what we’ve got to be up for again next week and the week after.”
MATCH REPORT: Inspired Arzani leads Victory to final four as Wanderers’ 3,303-day finals drought rolls on
“There’s no one we fear in this competition,” Diles added.
“We know we’re a very good team with great players. So are Auckland, and so are the Wanderers. The Wanderers are a fantastic team, just look at their bench tonight, and players that weren’t even in the squad. A fantastic team.
“Just to beat them here is a huge achievement; their crowd as well, it was a daunting task but one we were ready for. We were prepped for that.
“Like I said during the week to our players: let’s use their crowd and that atmosphere as our 12th man and not theirs.”
Victory will host Premiers Auckland FC at home in the first leg of their Semi-Final showdown on Saturday, May 17, before the return leg at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, May 24.
SEMI-FINALS LOCKED IN: What you need to know as Victory, Western United progress to final four
