Melbourne Victory’s record-breaking goalscorer Besart Berisha believes his side were only short of luck in their quest to be A-League champions.
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» Full match report
» Re-live the live blog
Victory tasted defeat in Sunday’s A-League grand final after a strong performance against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
Berisha opened the scoring on 20 minutes, before the Sky Blues forced extra time and penalties from Rhyan Grant’s scrambled equaliser.
Marco Rojas had his spot kick saved by Sydney goalkeeper Danny Vukovic and skipper Carl Valeri hit the crossbar as Sydney FC claimed the premiership-championship double in a dramatic penalty shootout.
It was a humbling experience for Victory, which was so close to a fourth title, but Berisha said he felt only pride for his teammates.
“The way we approached this game, the way we trained and our mentality coming into the game … I cannot criticise nothing,” Berisha said.
“We’ve been really brave and I’m proud of the way everybody played today.”
Berisha suggested that winning a penalty shootout is basically down to luck and on Sunday the Victory didn’t really have much of that.
“Penalties are a lucky thing,” he said.
“It’s very hard and difficult especially when you play away (as) all the supporters boo you.
“You have to be a bit lucky. Sydney was a bit more lucky in penalties and they won.”
In scoring his opener, Berisha took his season tally to 21, equalling his best A-League haul in a single campaign.
It was also his record-setting seventh straight goal in a finals match.
Berisha has scored in every final he’s played for Victory and also scored in both matches of Brisbane’s successful 2014 finals campaign.
He also scored a double in the Roar’s 2012 grand final win over Perth Glory.
“I’m happy I can always help the team. It’s my job as a striker to score goals,” he said.
“In these games, these important moments I need to be there for my club.”
The 31-year-old said he was preparing to take the next penalty in the shootout but had no criticism for Valeri or Rojas.
“This is what we (planned) a long time ago. We wanted to line up like this,” he said.
“They missed one. What are you going to do?
“I’ve missed so many penalties in my career.”
Johnno
Guest
Or there is an outside chance that there are more than 1 person called johnno on this page. Highly unlikely, given the scarcity of names like John, of course. When did you decide you were the original, anyway? Says who?
KJ
Roar Rookie
I'm guessing because Vukovic had Berisha's sussed when it comes to penalties. Was it two he saved off Berisha this year?
Johnno
Guest
this is a Johnno imposter above not the original Johnno^
Johnno
Guest
Tough luck morebeer you bellend; best team won it and you have all off season to let that sink in, you nugget.
morebeer
Guest
David Carney is a nuggett...hate his guts....hate SFC...nuggets the bunch of them.
tommaso
Guest
The goalie Thomas was terrible, in fact clueless - he should take lessons from Vukovic on how to save penalties
Bfc
Guest
Curious thing that "luck". Troisi hitting the upright...shot "off target", Valeri hitting the crossbar on his penalty (and WIlkinson's miss to the left...) is another shot "off target"...no luck involved. Vukovic guessed correctly to save Rojas' penalty attempt, but that reminded me of the Young save of the Jumpei penalty...Jumpei was cramping and Rojas was clearly exhausted and 'running on empty'. Why did the MVFC striker, Bes, take one of the earlier penalties...a tactical error?
punter
Guest
Super Dave Carney, what a player, he changed the game!!!!
pauly
Guest
That at letting David Carney run loose in the box. Given the history of that player against Victory over the last TWO seasons I'm surprised he wasn't marked more tightly. That and the lack of fresh legs are the two things that cost MV last night.