Melbourne Victory caretaker coach Mehmet Durakovic is hoping his six-week stint in charge of the club will win him the job permanently.
Durakovic, who has led the club for their last four AFC Champions League fixtures, watched his side draw 1-1 with Jeju United in Korea on Wednesday which ended their chances of making it past the group stages.
But the Victory played an enterprising brand of football and were unbelievably unlucky, having five goals ruled out for offside in a bizarre match.
Two of the five decisions were incorrect according to television replays, meaning Melbourne should have won, but they were forced to settle for a point which came courtesy of Diogo Ferreira’s stunning 61st minute volley.
“I hope so, I really do,” Durakovic said from Korea on Thursday when asked if he would like to continue in his current role.
“In a lot of games we have been very unlucky and it’s out of my hands at the moment but the pleasing thing is that the players have responded to my tactics and the way I wanted to play.”
“In the short space of time I think we have really done well, we have been unbeaten in four games. Everything now is out of my hands and it’s up to the board, I just hope the board can see there has been a lot of positives in the team and the way I want these players to be play.”
Durakovic was frustrated his side could not progress in the competition and said they lacked a bit of luck in the final matches of the group stage.
“Against Gamba Osaka the other week we should have had a penalty and it would have made a lot of things different,” he said.
“Last night’s game … you are talking about two clear goals that weren’t given. It’s disappointing because you are not going to get a lot of chances playing these teams at their home ground and to have so many chances and to be ruled offside, it hurts.”
Despite the fact his side were knocked out, Durakovic sang the praises of the AFC Champions League and believes success in the competition is the right way to become a powerhouse in Asian football.
“Given a bit more time I think most clubs in Australia can really match it with these guys.”
“We shouldn’t look forward to being the biggest club in Australia, we should be looking to be the biggest club in Asia. This is the pathway to it. It’s a pity that some other results didn’t go our way but I think it’s fantastic to play these games.”
Durakovic added that he had not received an indication from the club’s board as to when they will make a decision on a full-time manager and he also praised the contribution of Kevin Muscat and Robbie Kruse to the club, with the pair both playing their last match for the Victory on Wednesday.
