Coach Jim Magilton was left lamenting what might have been after watching Melbourne Victory tame Wellington Phoenix 3-0 on Friday night, but the caretaker boss took plenty of encouragement from the performance just the same.
Coach Jim Magilton was left lamenting what might have been after watching Melbourne Victory tame Wellington Phoenix 3-0 on Friday night, but the caretaker boss took plenty of encouragement from the performance just the same.
Eliminated from the finals race by last week’s 1-0 loss to Sydney FC on the road, there was little to play for at AAMI Park other than pride and a look to the future.
Goalkeeper Tando Velaphi, who was cut down by injury on the eve of the season, played his first Hyundai A-League match for the club while 17-year-old Julius Davies also debuted off the bench and had a hand in the third goal scored by fellow youngster Jimmy Jeggo.
Speaking after the win, in which Carlos Hernandez and Isaka Cernak were the other goal-scorers, Magilton was delighted with the performance even though it ‘came a little bit too late’.
“We took real care of the ball tonight (and) looked threatening every time we went forward,” said Magilton.
“We had hairy, scary moments against a really good side … they’re going to maybe exploit a few weaknesses in our side but overall (I was) just really, really pleased.”
“It’s pleasing when you win 3-0 against a good side.”
“It’s encouraging, it’s come a little bit too late but encouraging signs and again belief, belief grows.”
“Hopefully those young players will take it on board.”
Asked why his players couldn’t turn in an effort like that when the season was still alive, Magilton insisted there had been nothing different in the build up from his point of view.
But questioned about the first viewing of Liberian-born Davies, who spent time with both Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim before signing with Victory earlier this year, Magilton was full of praise while also preaching caution.
“We brought him in early doors and he has been very good and he is a young player that has real potential,” Magilton added.
“We have to nurture that, we have to make sure that we can develop him (and) we’re certainly going to have to keep his feet on the ground, that’s absolutely no doubt about that but he gets bums on seats and he is an exciting young talent.”
“But certainly we’re not getting carried away with him (and) tonight was about the whole team and how we stuck together tonight and played well as a team.”
