Muscat confident of tasting Victory

THE tough tasks keep coming for Melbourne Victory but coach Kevin Muscat insists his side can break through for a first A-League win of the season tonight.

After losses to Big Blue rivals Sydney FC and derby nemesis Melbourne City, Victory head to Adelaide Oval to resume hostilities with Adelaide United.

They could barely have picked a worse moment, given the Reds’ strong start to the season and a serious injury to key defender James Donachie.

Under disciplinarian coach Marco Kurz, United are unbeaten and looking sharp.

Danish winger Johan Absalonsen has been the pick of the Reds’ new crop, scoring in both A-League matches so far.

Victory haven’t looked poor by any stretch in their opening fortnight, but have lost Donachie to a long-term quad injury.

He underwent surgery on Wednesday, with Muscat backing defender Thomas Deng, 20, as his replacement.

“He’ll come in alongside Rhys (Williams) and we’re very confident in Tommy,” Muscat said.

Deng spent last season on loan with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven’s youth squad, with Muscat noticing he had “matured a hell of a lot” on his return to AAMI Park.

So it’s full steam ahead for Victory, looking to avoid starting an A-League campaign with three successive losses for the first time in the club’s 13year history.

“There’s no doubt they (Adelaide) are fit but ... that’s not something that’s making us panic,” Muscat said. “We understand what’s required.”