Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat applauded the improved mental resolve his side displayed in holding Western Sydney Wanderers to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night.
Still smarting from last round’s 3-0 defeat to Wellington Phoenix, Victory overcame a second half red card to see out a well-earned point at ANZ Stadium.
Stalemate as Wanderers held by 10-man Victory
“Last week was between the ears. It was upstairs,” Muscat told Fox Sports.
“I can reel off stats and data and work rate and all that sort of stuff but if you’re not right [mentally], if you’re second to every ball, you’re going to run more than the opposition anyway.
“Tonight I thought we were at it.
“We showed some good spirit and some good qualities to keep Lawrence [Thomas] from having to make too many saves.”
While a stout defensive effort helped sew up second spot, Muscat found just as many positives in the rest of his side’s performance.
“I’m more satisfied with the way we started the game,” he said.
“I thought we defended well prior to going down to 10 men. We were confident [a goal] would have come in the second half.
“In the end the way the second half played out we’re obviously satisfied with the performance and with a point.”
