Chris Payne and Shannon Cole were both handed starts in the 0-0 draw with Melbourne Victory and the Sydney FC coach felt his team had overcome a nervous start to put in a display that augurs well for the future.

Kosmina said: "We struggled a little bit in the first half in terms of balance and things and Clint Bolton was exceptional in goal. But that's what keepers are there for."

The coach gathered his team at the interval to try and sort out some defensive issues and was delighted with the second 45 minutes.

He said: "We just needed to get more some balance at the back, get your full backs to tuck in.

"In the second half we more than took the game to Melbourne and maybe could have come out of it with something?

"Adam Casey had a great opportunity and Shannon Cole was very unlucky with the free-kick that hit the post."

Kosmina was just happy to see so many individuals rise to the challenge. He said: "It says a lot, it says a lot for the players that actually played tonight, probably more than the blokes that are coming back.

"If you look at Mark Bridge for example. He made a difference for the first 10 15 minutes he was on just in terms of experience.

"We've got Johnny (Aloisi) to come back, Alex Brosque, Stuart Musialik, Dez Giraldi, Tony Popovic, an embarrassment of riches.

"It augurs well for the future but it does say a lot for the blokes that had to step up."