Melbourne Victory striker Robbie Kruse faces an uncertain wait on what role he’ll play in the club’s AFC Champions League revival.
Kruse was stretchered off the ground with a knee injury in Victory’s comeback 2-1 win over Group E leaders Tianjin Teda at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
Interim coach Mehmet Durakovic admitted a full diagnosis on the health of the Socceroos star was unavailable post-match, but is confident Kruse will play against Gamba Osaka on May 4.
“The physios are looking at Robbie right now, he did his knee apparently, he should be OK,” Durakovic said.
Kruse proved a pivotal figure as Victory overturned a 1-0 deficit with two goals in the space of three minutes late in the first-half.
A 35-yard Carlos Hernandez free kick levelled proceedings in the 44th minute before the Chinese visitors conceded a penalty in stoppage time when Kruse was bodychecked by Cao Yang inside the box.
Kevin Muscat stepped up to convert from the spot and Victory overcame the send-off of Thai international Surat Sukha in the 82nd minute to hold on for their first win of the campaign.
It was also the maiden success for Durakovic since replacing the deposed Ernie Merrick last month and the former Socceroo defender hailed the commitment of his players after the match.
“The boys never stopped from the start until the end of the game,” Durakovic said.
“Even when we went down to 10 men we held our structure. It was a fantastic result. I thought the boys played really, really well in the first half and the second half we battled to the end.”
The win moves Victory to four points from as many matches and while they still occupy bottom spot in Group E, results on matchday four went their way.
Tianjin Teda remains on top of the group with seven points after Gamba Osaka-s 3-1 win over Jeju United at home.
Both Gamba and Jeju now sit on six points, but it means Victory’s hopes of progressing through to the next stage are still alive ahead of a visit from the Japanese powerhouses.
Durakovic says his team can’t wait for the re-match against Gamba, who dismantled Victory 5-1 in the campaign opener in March.
“There is belief in this squad, there is always a belief in these players,” Durakovic said.
“I don’t think there’s mental scars, the boys are professional footballers – what a great game it will be in two weeks time.”
Sukha’s send off means he’ll miss the Gamba clash and with Matthew Kemp out for the remainder of the group stage, emerging prospects Diogo Ferreira or Petar Franjic will be given a chance to shine.
One rising star who has done just that is right-back Matthew Foschini, with the son of former St Kilda and Sydney rover Silvio among the Victory’s best.
A graduate of Durakovic’s youth team, Foschini’s composure under pressure was a highlight of his assured display that impressed the coach.
“He absolutely did quite well tonight,” Durakovic said.
“Matthew had a really good game in China, it works wonders when you give a young kid belief. I’ve got no qualms playing him week in, week out.”
