Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz says the Reds produced their best 45 minutes of the season, but they need to learn to kill off matches after their 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory.
United were impressive in the first half at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday night, even scintillating in patches, as they struck twice in as many minutes courtesy of Craig Goodwin and Ken Ilso.
Goodwin capped off a well worked team move which started with skipper Isaias and an assist to Nikola Mileusnic, while Ilso took full advantage of a defensive error from Thomas Deng.
The 2-0 buffer at the break could have been more as United pressed high and attacked quickly in numbers.
But Victory were much-improved in the second half and could have found the net if not for the heroics of Reds keeper Paul Izzo and the cross bar keeping out Terry Antonis.
This wasn't lost on Kurz who felt his side should have played smarter after the interval and not gifted Victory so many chances.
"The first half was maybe the best in the season," he said.
"The second one was more (of a) fight. I think we must in the future be more clever to stay in our opposition (half) and to play better the final pass.
"We gave them two big chances and that we have to learn to make it better; make it a game that's much easier to bring it to the end.
"But at the end it was a big win."
Kurz had criticised the Reds after their goalless draw against 10-men Wellington for being too timid at home but he applauded Adelaide's application and intensity against Melbourne.
The German demanded his side always be on the front foot at Coopers Stadium and was satisfied with their response against Victory right from kick off.
"I think from the first minute on we showed everybody in the stadium that we are ready for a big game and that we are ready for a big win," he said.
"I think we fight and we played also a good game.
"It was a good step to win against Victory at home is always a big win, it's a derby and it's the champion from last season."
Kurz's counterpart Kevin Muscat felt his side started well enough but was disappointed with how Adelaide's goals arrived and in quick succession.
Despite the defeat, Muscat was full of praise for his side who had entered the clash on a nine-game unbeaten streak and only tasted defeat for the first time since round two.
"I thought the first five, ten minutes I thought everything was ok but to concede in that manner with really not enough urgency," he said.
"And then the second one to follow so quickly it gives you a mountain to climb.
"Having said that, it's our first loss since October. The boys have been on a fantastic run, with fantastic performances and earning some results - tonight it wasn't to be."
Australian Associated Press
