Muscat not terrified of Sydney FC

Jan 27, 2017 - 4:27 AM Sydney FC have twice defeated Melbourne Victory this season but beaten coach Kevin Muscat says there's nothing unstoppable about the A-League leaders.

Victory were edged 2-1 at Etihad Stadium by the Sky Blues in a hammer blow to their title hopes.

The gap between first and second is now 11 points, with just 10 matches to play.

But as Muscat well knows, with a grand final that decides the eventual champion, it's all about the match-up on the day.

And on that count - despite being edged by Graham Arnold's side once more - Muscat is feeling confident that they can match Sydney when it matters.

"We played the better football. They get the result," he said.

"But I'm not walking away from tonight terrified whatsoever."

Victory have now lost three matches in a row during a brutal run of fixtures which included back-to-back away days in Wellington and Perth.

Muscat didn't want to use that as an excuse for the loss on Australia Day.

Nor did he dob in a dodgy pitch, which saw a number of players flailing about on parts of the surface just two weeks after hosting cricket.

Instead, he lamented lapses of concentration - the same issue that saw them lose in the same manner to the Glory last Saturday.

"I was really happy with the football we played. We manufactured and scored a very good goal," he said.

"We haven't been out-passed, we haven't been outplayed.

"We're making some decisions defensively that resulted in goals.

"We have to eliminate these errors that are leading to goals because they're soft."

With a Melbourne derby coming up next weekend, Victory are now under pressure from cross-town rivals Melbourne City, which could come into the match just three points behind them.

Muscat says he has his eyes firmly fixed on Graham Arnold's team, and wouldn't be giving away the premier's plate just yet.

"I will never give up trying to catch them. What (the win) does for them, time will tell."

Source: AAP