Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka says his team’s defeat of rivals Melbourne Victory will provide a confidence boost heading into the final weeks of the season as they continue their charge for a finals berth.
The Sky Blues hard-won 1-0 defeat of the Victory lifted the Sydneysiders to seventh and within touching distance of the finals, just one point behind both Melbourne Heart and Newcastle Jets.
Lavicka’s side meet both teams over the remaining two weeks of the season leaving their destiny very much in their own grasp.
“We picked up more confidence tonight,” Lavicka said.
“It is always a special match against Melbourne and tonight was three more points won and another clean sheet which helps our confidence further.”
A first half penalty converted by Karol Kisel was all Sydney had to show for a match they dominated for lengthy periods.
The Sky Blues spurned a number of goalscoring opportunities and they were denied a bigger winning margin by a combination of poor finishing and some desperate Victory defending, notably from Mark Milligan.
“It’s easy to say ‘unlucky’,” Lavicka said in reference to his side-s missed opportunities in front of goal.
“We scored one but we should have had more.
“In our current situation it was clear we have to pick up the points, it doesn’t matter how or how many goals. I still believe (we will make the finals).”
Sydney FC skipper Terry McFlynn believes the win was just reward for a solid performance, not just against the Victory but over recent matches as well.
“The last few weeks we have played good football, but didn’t get the reward,” he said.
“We showed tonight that we can deliver when our backs are against the wall.”
The Sky Blues received a further boost with forward Mark Bridge taking the field for the final ten minutes after a month-s absence with an ankle injury.
