Victory mulls a mountain climb

Melbourne Victory faces a massive uphill battle if it is to recover from Wednesday's heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Gamba Osaka and qualify for the quarter finals of the AFC Champions League according to coach Ernie Merrick.

Merrick said his players were gutted by Lucas' 90th-minute winner which settled a brilliant match at Telstra Dome. The Victory are now four points behind the J-League side and with two away matches to come separated by a home tie against Chonburi, he believes that his team has a mountain to climb.

"I think it makes things very difficult, I think what we have to do is win over in Osaka in two weeks time and rely on them dropping points. It's not in our hands anymore, but it's very important we win the next one," he said.

Merrick was full of praise for his players, but said that the quality of the opposition told late in the match.

"I thought the boys played their hearts out. The difference is that they were really match fit and battle hardened and had tremendous quality off the bench. As they were changing players off the bench they were bringing on first class players," he said.

"When you've got seven internationals in your side and two very good Brazilians, they make you pay for any little errors you make. We matched them all over the ground, the last ten minutes we died, but I thought we played very well."

The Victory have a right to feel a little aggrieved after the opposition scored a 30-metre cracker for the second time in as many matches. Takahiro Futagawa unleashed a brilliant strike in the 32nd minute which was the highlight of a pulsating match which saw five headed goals.

"Where do they pull these shots out of?" he said. "That first goal was sensational, similar goal to the one Baga scored in Bangkok."

The coach did admit he was disappointed to have conceded two goals from set plays, and three from headers, but said a lack of match practice was a major difference.

"Obviously we didn't work hard enough on the defensive set plays. To concede three goals at the near post like that, that won't be happening again. Credit to them, they are a very good side, very well drilled, very fit and very organised," he said.