Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer said it was satisfying to collect their first win of the season at Wellington on Sunday.
Melbourne Victory captain Adrian Leijer said it was satisfying to collect their first win of the season at Wellington on Sunday.
The Victory scored their first two goals of the season in a 2-1 defeat of the Phoenix which also gave a first win to coach Mehmet Durakovic, in his first season in senior management.
Archie Thompson struck moments before half-time for the visitors and after the break, Ben Sigmund was sent off for fouling Thompson with Carlos Hernandez slotting home from the penalty spot.
Dani Sanchez opened his league account with 19 minutes to go, but the 10-man Phoenix could not draw level.
“It’s been more pressure than normal bit it’s more pressure on ourselves than anything,” Leijer said.
“We’re a big club with big name players and we haven’t been playing to the standard that we’d like to.”
“Today wasn’t our best football but to come here and get three points at a place where you know these guys don-t get beat is a very, very good result.”
Leijer said he was looking forward to next weekend’s clash with in-form champions Brisbane Roar.
“Brisbane are doing very, very well. But we are confident. We played them last season, and did quite well against them. We beat them in pre-season.”
“We really have to lift our game from tonight. They really are the team to catch and we’ll be doing everything we can to put in a good performance next weekend.”
Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert was frustrated after his team dominated the match but missed chances, particularly from Sanchez, hurt Phoenix.
“It’s not often you’ll get a strong Melbourne team like that, stacked with players like that, that you’ll dominate or long periods. But you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net,” Herbert said.
“I don-t think anyone would have begrudged us two or three before half time and that would’ve been a different scenario.”
Captain Andrew Durante shared his coach’s feelings at his team’s inability to turn possession and territorial advantage in goals.
“We’re very frustrated,” Durante said.
“Melbourne were poor, we were very good so it was disappointing not to get the three points.”
“It’s hurt us two weeks in a row not putting the ball in the net. The boys are frustrated but in the end we’re playing good stuff.”
“It’s not as if we’re playing bad, we’re just playing well and not getting the right results.”
