Melbourne Victory head coach Kevin Muscat has applauded goal-scorer Jai Ingham for making the most of his starting opportunity against Shanghai SIPG.
Ingham was a surprise selection on the left of Victory’s formation in its AFC Champions League opener on Wednesday night, and the 22-year-old former Hume City attacker put the home side in front in the 31st minute at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Selected in front of Connor Pain, Ingham was impressive in the first half, finishing off Oliver Bozanic’s fine through-ball as the hosts went on to win 2-1.
“We have got to the point where people have had opportunities and this was Jai’s opportunity,” Muscat said at his post-match press conference.
“I felt with pace on both sides, we’d be able to cause some problems.”
Victory’s coach added: “It was a very good finish. He (Ingham) played his part tonight and he set us up to be able to press very aggressively.”
Shanghai SIPG equalised early in the second half through Wu Lei, but Victory edged ahead again in the 73rd minute thanks to Besart Berisha’s penalty.
The match then became frenetic – both Pain and Shanghai SIPG’s Dario Conca hit the woodwork – but Victory held on for a vital three points.
Shanghai SIPG coach Sven-Goran Eriksson claimed his team deserved at least a point, but Muscat disagreed.
“I think you’ll find that we had the greater, better opportunities to finish the game off,” he said.
Muscat also praised the performance of central defender Matthieu Delpierre, who he rated as “very close to” the man of the match.
“I thought he was outstanding, his composure spreads to the rest of the team,” he said.
Tickets for Victory’s remaining 2016 AFC Champions League home games are on sale now. Click here for ticketing information.
