Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Ante Covic revealed he and his team-mates never lost faith that they were capable of producing the kind of effort that saw them record a character-building win against Gold Coast on Sunday.
Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Ante Covic revealed he and his team-mates never lost faith that they were capable of producing the kind of effort that saw them record a character-building win against Gold Coast on Sunday.
After leading 2-0 at AAMI Park, Victory were reduced to 10 men when defender Rody Vargas was sent off in the first half.
Miron Bleiberg’s men then levelled things up 2-2 in the second stanza but despite conceding a one-man advantage, Victory didn’t give up and were rewarded after 79 minutes when Carlos Hernandez scored the winner.
Covic described it as the ‘best performance of the year’ and said it gave Victory a much-needed morale boost.
“We knew we had the fight in us, the quality there and it was about time we showed it,” Covic said after recovery on Monday.
“We spoke about that throughout the whole week before the game that it’s about time we stood up and played the way we want to play.”
“Wins always put a smile on your face and the attitude today was quite jovial, a lot of laughs, a lot of joking around so that’s what winning does.”
Covic said the most pleasing part of the 3-2 victory over Gold Coast was the fact the team controlled the game from the very start.
“From the first whistle we performed the way we wanted to, we controlled the game and I don’t think we’ve done that in the first six, seven weeks,” Covic said.
“We could take control of the game from the first minute and that’s what we’ve got to work on and that’s what we’ve got to continue doing.”
The in-form goalkeeper has played a key role in ensuring the Victory have had the second-best defence in the Hyundai A-League this season and Covic declared he has felt ‘unstoppable’ when he walks out on to the pitch.
“I’ve been more than happy with my form … Mentally, physically I’m in the best shape that I’ve been (in) in a long time and I’m loving my football,” Covic said.
“I suppose you come to a certain age where you don’t take football for granted anymore and you want to make the most of it.”
“I feel pretty much unstoppable once I’m out on that field, it’s a good feeling to have.”
And Covic said his goalkeeper team-mate Tando Velaphi, who is nearing full fitness after fracturing his shin, will have to fight to make is Hyundai A-League debut for Victory after crossing from Perth in the off-season.
“I don’t play football just for someone else to come in,” 36-year-old Covic said.
“They’re going to have to fight for their spots … I’m not giving that up, I’ve got plenty left in me and I’ve proved that.”
“I wouldn’t come home (from Sweden where he played for IF Elfsborg) just to take a spot for a few weeks.”
“As long as I keep playing the way I’m playing, I’ve got a long way to go.”
