‘Why not?’: Tony Popovic has faith in Melbourne Victory after FFA Cup triumph

Melbourne Victory have risen from misery to ecstasy in less than a year and the side believes it can keep up its winning ways overseas.

Melbourne Victory’s rise from the doldrums to the podium is complete. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Winning the FFA Cup is one thing but beating Japanese heavyweights Vissel Kobe in a do-or-die Asian Champions League playoff is another but Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic is asking – “why not?”

As a result of their 2-1 Cup triumph over Central Coast Mariners, Victory secured the final playoff spot for the tournament and will now face the Ushi, who boast the likes of Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta and former Spain international Bojan Krkic.

Popovic is all too familiar with the tournament, having won it with Western Sydney Wanderers back in 2014 and believes his side can defy the odds when it heads to Japan in March.

“Yeah, first and foremost, the trophy (FFA Cup) is key for the club,” Popovic said.

“We now get the added bonus for the first time to have a playoff spot in Asia. That’s certainly something we want to achieve now that we’re there.

“Vissel Kobe is a wonderful club that will be a wonderful challenge. Why not? We can go wherever we have to play and have the confidence and belief we can get through.”

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Despite facing the daunting task of coming up directly against Iniesta in midfield, joint Mark Viduka medallist Jake Brimmer is also of the belief Victory can progress to the group stage along with adding more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

“What an opportunity. Honestly, with the team we have this year I think anything is possible,” Brimmer said.

“I think we can win multiple titles. I think we can win everything that we can win. Honestly, I really do.

“Obviously hearing that name (Iniesta) … it’s going to be a tough game but I’m up for it, I’m ready for it. That’s what we do.”

Brimmer is up for the challenge. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Much of Victory’s rise from wooden spooners to FFA Cup champions in the space of eight months has been put down to the influence of Popovic, who has overseen the club’s revival.

After two seasons in the doldrums, Victory have roared back to life with the Cup acting as tangible proof of their progress under Popovic.

“It’s a step forward, of course, and this club was accustomed to winning trophies, challenging honours constantly, regularly,” Popovic said.

“Expectations have always been high and we’ve brought that back now and today we had an opportunity to win something and we took that opportunity.”

Jason Davidson’s stunning free-kick proved to be the difference between the two sides with his incredible effort soaring into the top corner with twenty minutes to play.

Brimmer, who is Victory’s regular set-piece taker, proved to be the ‘free-kick whisperer’ as his advice for Davidson turned to gold.

“The first one I took in the first half. the keeper took a step to the right and I tried to go over the wall and I didn’t succeed,” Brimmer said.

“I said to Davo (Davidson), go left and funny enough, he hit it left. Birighitti took a step to his right and he had no chance so fair credit, credit where credit’s due and Davo hit a wonderful free-kick.”

Popovic has worked wonders at Victory. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Central Coast boss Nick Montgomery described the loss as a “learning curve” and believed his young side was be able to take plenty out of its Cup journey.

“I didn’t think there was much in the game at all. I don’t think they really tested us for the 90 minutes,” Montgomery said.

“On the day, it’s a fantastic free kick, so far other than that, we frustrated them. There was nothing in the game.

“It’s been a tough journey for us to get here, I’m super proud of the boys. I’m just so proud of everybody.”

Originally published as ‘Why not?’: Tony Popovic has faith in Melbourne Victory after FFA Cup triumph