Finals easing Olympic agony

Paris failure put to bed

Playing a key role in Melbourne Victory’s finals campaign is easing Ryan Teague’s agony over the Olyroos’ failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Teague was a part of the Australian squad that failed to deliver last month at AFC under-23 Asian Cup in Qatar.

Needing to reach the semifinals to qualify for the Paris Games’ men’s football tournament, the Olyroos’ failure to score a goal in any of their three group matches in Qatar ended their Olympic dreams.

“It was a disappointing time away in Qatar, but now it’s over, there’s nothing I can do about it, and I’m putting my mind forward to winning the A-League now,” Teague said ahead of the Victory’ semi-final first-leg clash against Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Sunday.

“It’s really helped me get over it, and a couple of the other boys too.”

Those others are the 22year-old midfielder’s Victory teammates Nishan Velupillay and Jordi Valadon, who were also part of the Olyroos squad.

“We walked away from the Asian Cup not taking anything, but we’ve had a talk together and we all want to come back and win this league,” Teague said. “We can’t finish the season empty-handed.”

Teague was excellent in the Victory’s engine room in the club’s elimination final success against Melbourne City last Sunday, while substitute Velupillay scored a late equaliser to ensure the game went into extra-time after City had gone ahead in the first-half.

Scores remained locked 1-1 at the end of extra-time, with the Victory – who played most of the match with 10 men after the first-half dismissal of French star Zinedine Machach – winning the penalty shootout 3-2 thanks largely to heroics of goalkeeper Paul Izzo.

“We know how hard we’ve worked this season, and it was too early for us to go out,” Teague said.

“It was a big high and a big achievement. We had that night and the next day to celebrate and be happy with ourselves about, but now we’ve moved on towards the next game (against the Phoenix).

“Wellington have been a good team this season but we think we’re a much better team. We’ve analysed how we can … win against them.”

Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano said a goal in Melbourne would be “worth its weight in gold” ahead of next Saturday’s second-leg in Wellington.

“We’re going there with the idea that we’re going to attack and be in the game,” Italiano said.