Patrick Kisnorbo refuses to linger on Melbourne Victory’s Australia Cup final loss to Macarthur ahead of their A-League Men meeting.
Instead, he wants them to reproduce the electrifying half-hour that destroyed Melbourne City in order to keep their unbeaten streak going.
Victory lost the Cup final 1-0 to the Bulls at AAMI Park, but they have started the season well, drawing with champions Central Coast and defeating City 3-1.
Patrick Kisnorbo refuses to linger on Melbourne Victory’s Australia Cup final loss to Macarthur ahead of their A-League Men meeting.
Instead, he wants them to reproduce the electrifying half-hour that destroyed Melbourne City in order to keep their unbeaten streak going.
Victory lost the Cup final 1-0 to the Bulls at AAMI Park, but they have started the season well, drawing with champions Central Coast and defeating City 3-1.
“It was one of those one-off games that happens, and now it’s a final,” Kisnorbo told AAP.
“And they deserve credit for winning it. But for now, all we have to do is concentrate and see what we can achieve on Sunday.
“I learnt more from us (than them).”We produced some wonderful opportunities, so we’ll simply keep working on our game to improve.”
Last Saturday, Victory pressed the pedal to the metal against City, going up 3-0 thanks to a classic Kisnorbo “go, go, go” high-octane start.
“It’s the way we want to play, and that’s an identity that we want to have,” he told me.
“We need to keep repeating performances like that. Not all of them will be like that, but we have a standard, and we intend to maintain it.”
Kisnorbo’s decision to start Greek striker Nikos Vergos and fellow recruit Reno Piscopo over Bruno Fornaroli and Daniel Arzani was vindicated.
He expected Vergos to improve after scoring and assisting, but Piscopo impressed.
“What I’ve said a lot is it takes time for foreign players,” Kisnorbo told reporters.
“And again, just because he (Vergos) scored, it doesn’t mean he stops.”
Young midfielders Ryan Teague and Jordi Valadon were outstanding against City, but a Macarthur midfield led by Luke Brattan and Jake Hollman will be a tougher challenge.
“A great test. Brattsy obviously has a Socceroos cap. “He’s an experienced player,” he explained.
“So it’ll be great competition for them, great learning, and they should thrive playing against players like that.”
Roderick Miranda, Victory’s captain, will return from suspension.
Mitch Langerak, the incoming custodian, has ended his time at Nagoya Grampus and will formally join Victory in January.
Kisnorbo was unsure whether he would join Victory before then, expecting Langerak to need time off and emphasising Jack Duncan as his current No. 1 custodian.
Sunday’s game at AAMI Park is part of a long weekend of activities.
Wellington faces Auckland on Saturday, while the Central Coast hosts struggling Perth and Western Sydney plays Adelaide.
Western United and City will play off on Monday night.
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