A-League
Patrick Kisnorbo Reflects on Melbourne Victory’s Goalless Draw
Melbourne Victory kicked off their A-League campaign with a gritty 0-0 draw against the Central Coast Mariners, showcasing their resilience despite being reduced to 10 men. Head Coach Patrick Kisnorbo shared his thoughts on key moments from the match, including the missed penalty, the controversial red card, and team performance.
On the Match
Kisnorbo was pleased with his side’s overall performance, especially their ability to control the game before the red card. “Before the send-off, I think we dominated the game,” he stated. “We created some great chances; sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t. Then with 10 men, we showed resilience, we were very hard to break down. It was great to see.”
On the Missed Penalty
Reflecting on the missed penalty, Kisnorbo downplayed the incident. “People miss penalties, that’s just part of the game,” he commented. “I was just telling the players to keep pushing forward because we had great momentum, even after the miss. We carried that into the second half, up until the send-off.”
On the Red Card
The turning point came when Victory was reduced to 10 men following a red card, a decision that Kisnorbo accepted, albeit reluctantly. “I know the ref probably has to send the player off. The interpretation by law is probably correct,” he noted. “But as a coach, I didn’t see the intent to kick his opponent in the head. Still, the referee likely followed the letter of the law.”
On Fornaroli’s Selection
Kisnorbo emphasized the importance of competition within the squad, explaining his decision to start Bruno Fornaroli. “We want a competitive team, and competition is very healthy. I chose Bruno for this game, but next week is a different challenge. I always select the best XI for each match.”
On Players Returning from International Duty
With Geria and Velupillay returning from Socceroos duty, Kisnorbo recognized the potential impact of fatigue, especially after playing with 10 men. “I’m sure they’re feeling fatigued, particularly after today’s conditions,” he said. “But they should also be riding the high of international football. It’s part of being a professional at this level – learning how to manage those back-to-back games.”
Tags:
Patrick Kisnorbo, Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners, A-League, Bruno Fornaroli, Red Card, Penalty Miss, Football Resilience
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