Melbourne Victory capped off a gruelling three games in one week with a scoreless draw against the North Queensland Fury at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday.
Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick was pleased with the way his players managed their fatigue, especially mentally, after three tough matches; a scoreless draw with
Wellington on Wednesday night and a 3-0 home win over Brisbane Roar last Sunday.
"In the end to get a scoreless draw was good for us because no doubt the Fury has improved out of sight and any team that comes up here will have a tough time," Merrick said.
"We'd spoken about two aspects of fatigue, physical fatigue and mental fatigue and I thought the boys mentally really got themselves up during the match."
But he stressed Melbourne needed to convert opportunities into goals.
"There is no doubt we need to start punishing teams when we have that kind of possession."
Victory midfielder Leigh Broxham agreed.
"For three games in six days I think everyone handled it pretty well, especially the boys who played all the minutes."
"We didn't lose a game and to just pick up points when you have played three games in six days is pretty crucial and I think it's got to be a goal for other teams when they play those quick games."
North Queensland assistant coach Stuart McLaren was happy with the result but highlighted areas of improvement.
"Against a level of a side like the Victory, even at home, you're not expecting to get a lot of chances but with the couple you do get you need to take one," he said.
"It was obviously pleasing for us to keep a clean sheet but it was not by good fortune. I don't think they had too many clear cut chances if any.
"I can't fault the (Fury) boys' endeavour. It just would have been nice to have a bit more cutting edge in the front third."
A crowd of 4922 watched both teams generate numerous goal opportunities without avail; a problem the Fury had encountered a number of times this season.
Melbourne toiled again without injured striker Robbie Kruse and skipper Kevin Muscat while Mate Dugandzic and Diogo Ferreira are on Olyroos duty.
North Queensland's Chris Payne and Isaka Cernak are also away with the Olympic team while Dyron Daal missed through injury.
There were no real opportunities until the 27th minute when the Fury's David Williams watched his long range shot drift wide of diving Melbourne 'keeper Michael Petkovic.
The Fury continued to dominate with Chris Grossman getting away a shot that was desperately headed away from goal by Rodrigo Vargas in the 30th minute.
The tables turned in the 33rd minute when Tomislav Pondeljak had his shot desperately pushed away by Fury shot-stopper Justin Pasfield.
North Queensland captain Ufuk Talay also looked dangerous with a long range shot that had Petkoiv leaping to block in the 54th minute.
- AAP
Surat Sukha of the Victory is tackled by Bradley McDonald of the Fury. Photo / Getty Images
Melbourne Victory capped off a gruelling three games in one week with a scoreless draw against the North Queensland Fury at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday.
Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick was pleased with the way his players managed their fatigue, especially mentally, after three tough matches; a scoreless draw with
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.