Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic said his side needed to take their chances in front of goal if they are to record their first win of the A-League season.
Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic said his side needed to take their chances in front of goal if they are to record their first win of the A-League season.
After a goalless stalemate in their opening fixture against Sydney FC last week, Melbourne lost 1-0 to rivals Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday.
The Victory were in control of the match in the opening half, and threatened the Reds goal with regularity.
Spearheaded by Harry Kewell, the attack of Carlos Hernandez, Marco Rojas and Archie Thompson created a number opportunities against a flat United defence, but failed to capitalise.
Melbourne paid the price for their failure in the final third, when Adelaide scored shortly after half-time to take control of the match and restrict the four-pronged attack to limited chances.
Durakovic admitted he still needed time to get his team gelling, but was adamant that the goals would soon flow, especially as the Victory gets set for another derby against cross-town foes Melbourne Heart next Saturday.
“When it comes to the final pass, instead of passing it we are trying to take another touch, then another touch and by then it’s too late or the keeper’s made a good save,” Durakovic said.
“They are all professional footballers and really good players, but it just takes time to gel with the way we want to play.”
“Sooner or later those chances will go in and after that we won’t look back.”
“Obviously it’s a big game for us next week (against Melbourne Heart) and we are going to need to take our chances to try and get the three points, because we definitely need it.”
Following Sergio van Dijk’s 52nd-minute goal, things went from bad to worse for Melbourne as captain Adrian Leijer was sent off soon after following a second bookable offence.
Leijer’s first yellow card came from a heated exchange with Reds winger Andy Slory after the Dutchman slid in late on the Victory captain.
Leijer appeared to react angrily to Slory’s poor challenge and was subsequently booked along with the Dutchman.
The Melbourne skipper was then handed a second yellow for illegally impeding Dario Vidosic.
Durakovic felt the sending off was harsh, but said that he had enough depth to cover the loss of his captain for next week’s clash with the Heart.
“I really don’t understand how he (Leijer) got the yellow card for the first one,” Durakovic said.
“It hasn’t made it easier on us but we’ve got Peter Franjic, he’s a youngster and I’ve got confidence in whoever we put there (central defence).”
Despite the loss, Durakovic took positives out of the game, particularly with the continuing development of young attacker Rojas.
The 20-year-old was a constant nuisance to United down the right wing with his fancy footwork and quick feet throughout the match before being subbed midway through the second half.
“He’s a wonderful talent and the more game time he makes, he will get even better,” Durakovic said.
“But obviously tonight he just ran out of legs in the second half and I thought it was better to take him off.”
The Victory coach also denied reports he was after Heart defender Simon Colosimo to bolster his defensive ranks before the A-League transfer window shuts next week.
