Victory were cruising after goals from Archie Thompson and a brace from James Troisi in the first-half before Jeremy Brockie pulled one back right before the break.
 
Paul Ifill made sure it would be a nervy finish for Muscat with a goal to make it 3-2 late on but Victory held on to give the former skipper a win on his full coaching debut.
 
Muscat was pleased with the way Victory started the game but blamed a lack of concentration in the second-half allowed Phoenix back in to the game.
 
“In that first half I thought it was good as football as we’ve played,” said Muscat. “There’s obviously some things we’ve got to work on but all in all it’s a good three points for us.
 
“It started off and I thought this is pretty easy after thirty minutes but they gave us a good run for our money in the second-half. 
 
“There’s things we need to work on and go away and look at but there were loads of positives. 
 
“Going forward in that first half there was some really good football and we’ve managed to do that this season in periods in games, now it’s about collectively getting that done for 90 minutes. 
 
“I’ll have to have a closer look but we turned the ball over far too easily in the second half which wasn’t happening in the first, and obviously when that happens you give them a little bit of confidence. 
 
“Credit to them, they had a go at us in the second half . 
 
“We could have scored a few more goals as well to seal the game, there were a number of chances that we had even in the second half but it wasn’t to be
 
“I said going in to the game it was about getting three points and playing some sort of standard, and I think we reached a very high standards in that first 35 minutes.
 
“I was really impressed with the way we started and came out of the box.”
 
James Troisi was an integral figure in Victory’s win and with his two goals is now the leading goal-scorer in the A-League after four rounds.
 
“He was one that joined us a bit later, so he’s really had to understand and look at the way we play but he’s certainly fitted in really well for us,” said Muscat.
 
“He gives us an added dimension by getting goals from midfield as well.”
 
Victory will be without Kosta Barbarouses due to All Whites duty for their World Cup play-off with Mexico, but Muscat believes Victory have the quality in the squad to cover him.
 
He added: “We believe in the squad we’ve got. It’s a challenge but I’ve no doubt people will step up.”