Toivonen hopes ‘win or die’ result will launch Victory’s top-six assault

Ola Toivonen believes Melbourne Victory are still alive and fighting in the Hyundai A-League this season after their come from behind 2-1 win over Adelaide United on Saturday evening.

Adelaide hit the front through striker Kristian Opseth but a determined Victory side hit back in the second half via Marco Rojas and Andrew Nabbout’s stunning injury time winner.

The win puts the four-time Champions on 20 points, six behind sixth-placed Brisbane Roar, who face Melbourne City on Sunday.

“We knew that this was a win or die game,” Toivonen told FOX Sports.

“We’re still in it.

“We don’t have Champions League for a while so we can focus on the A-League and that’s just what we need. We need the fans as well.

“It’s been a tough year, and they deserve this win.”

With Victory’s next AFC Champions League involvement not until April 8, against Beijing Guoan, Carlos Salvachua’s side can put all their efforts into salvaging their top six aspirations.

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The Navy Blue host Sydney FC in Melbourne next Saturday before taking on Wellington Phoenix, Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners.

They will, however, need to improve upon their showing against the Reds on Saturday. Adelaide hit the post twice through George Blackwood in the second half and Victory spurned several gilt-edged opportunities earlier on that on another day might have seen their Finals Series hopes all but extinguished.

Goal-scoring hero Nabbout feels that despite those missed chances, Victory showed plenty of potential in the opening half that should have opposition defences worried if they can add cutting edge to their attack.

“The first half we should’ve been a couple of goals up. It was one of the better halves we played this season. We dominated the possession and we should’ve been two to the good.

He added: “I can’t explain what that [the winner] means to me.

“I was a little bit frustrated with myself. I should’ve been better in front of goal earlier on but I kept my head in it.

“I kept focused and I knew the chances would come and luckily enough one went in.”

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