Diles encouraged by Victory's 'incredible fight' in Auckland

Despite the late setback, Arthur Diles got at least one thing he wanted from the trip to Auckland FC – a response.

His Melbourne Victory team, a week after succumbing to Wellington Phoenix on home soil, showed tremendous character against the other half of New Zealand’s Isuzu UTE A-League cohort.

They twice led at Go Media Stadium, scoring in either half through Academy graduate Franco Lino and Socceroo Nishan Velupillay.

But goals from Sam Cosgrove, on the stroke of half-time, and Lachlan Brook, as the clock ticked down, split the points in Round 24.

Speaking during his post-match press conference, Diles gave an account of the good and bad aspects of Victory’s performance away from home.

“We got a response from last week, that’s for sure. That was the first thing we needed to see tonight – a team of hungry men out there willing to do whatever it takes to get a result.

“The disappointing part for me is to concede two set pieces, one from a throw-in and one from a direct free kick. So that’s disheartening, it’s disappointing, but in the end, the effort was there.

“At times, especially in that first half, the football was good. In the second half, we really worked on that press to try and pinch balls. We created a few good chances where we could have gone up by another one, and I think that would have killed the game off, but we weren’t good enough to get the third, and we should still hold on and see the game out.”

Diles and Victory are now unbeaten in three visits to Auckland, and the Head Coach explained further his satisfaction that the players were able to stand up to the challenge of facing the defending Premiers.

“Auckland’s been the most consistent team over the last two years in the league. And credit to Steve (Corica) and his crew, they’re doing a fantastic job.

“It’s a tough game, whether they come to your place or you go to theirs. It’s like a cauldron here, and you’ve got to be up for the fight first and foremost, before the football even takes place. And I’m proud of our players for doing that. They showed incredible fight tonight.”

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