Melbourne Victory goalscorer Kosta Barbarouses lamented the “naïve” defensive lapse which cost his side three points in Saturday night’s 1-1 draw with Sydney FC at AAMI Park.
Victory looked certain to capture a third straight Big Blue victory when Barbarouses’ second-half opener was followed by a straight red card for Sydney defender Jacques Faty.
However, the visitors fought back to equalise as David Carney punished absent Victory fullback Scott Galloway with a fine solo goal.
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“I think we controlled the game even before they got the red card. We dictated the pace of it,” Barbarouses said after the match on Fox Sports.
“Obviously we should have taken our chances as well while we were 1-0 up, we could have been two or three (goals ahead).
“We were maybe a little bit too eager to keep attacking when we were 1-0 up. Too slow to get back.
“You’ve got to learn from that as a young player but in saying that there are not many games to go and we’ve got to pick up points.”
In addition Faty’s straight dismissal, referee Kris Griffiths-Jones brandished six yellow cards throughout a heated 90 minutes.
Barbarouses said the feisty nature of the match was indicative of two teams fighting to secure their places in the top six.
“Everyone was pretty on edge. You could sort of see both teams need the points,” he said.
“Even though I think we deserved them, I think Sydney will be disappointed with not getting three points as well because I think they need them just as much as we do.”
