BEST

(Some) bright signs for the Big V

While this ACL campaign is already one to forget for Kevin Muscat, if there's a bright spark to come out of this series it's the admirable performances of several youth players.

This display wasn't in the ilk of the 1-1 draw with Guangzhou Evergrande, it was clear they were lacking a sensational midfield maestro like Terry Antonis to keep things ticking over in the middle, and there were a few shaky moments all around.

But Victory could have easily fashioned a couple of goals, their interplay was generally strong and their technical skill, while unreliable, was fairly obvious.

Elvis Kamsoba

He's now a step above the second-string Victory lineup and you could tell when he took to the field that he was brimming with confidence and self-reliance. He's worked very hard to get where he is today and he's clearly relishing the opportunity.

Daegu FC

The Koreans have impressed greatly over the past two seasons and deserve to make the second round in their debut ACL campaign. Their coach, Andre, came through the assistant ranks at Daegu, biding his time for the top job and he's almost revolutionised the team's expectations.

Most impressive is the way he's able to control a squad that's still youthful and displays their fair share of timidity and inexperience. He managed to ensure that they worked their way into the match and finished with an extremely dominant scoreline, ultimately deserved.

WORST

Not a great look for the Australian champions

It's unfortunate timing for Muscat to send the kids out, given Sydney's elimination last night and the news that the A-League has slipped behind Thailand in the AFC club rankings to ninth.

This means A-League clubs may lose their second automatic qualification place. You could forgive the AFC for wanting to scrap Australia as well, while we've certainly had success in the past, the last thing the confederation needs as they try to build this competition into a genuine contender to the UEFA Champions League is a major Asian nation that doesn't take it seriously.

To see the A-League's biggest club exit in this way is a shame regardless. Who knows how many more opportunities we'll have at this level...

Muscat's ACL record continues to sink

It must have been a sticking point in his contract renewal last season. While it's easy to see his domestic achievements as an infallible accomplishment, remember Ernie Merrick was sacked for similar losses in the ACL and that was approaching a decade ago. 

Four losses and one draw, three goals for and 14 against, eliminated after just four matches. How long will Victory, as ambitious as they are, continue to accept this?

Expect changes from Muscat in next season's competition (assuming they qualify). It's reached the point where Victory can no longer afford to enter all guns blazing, even when they've seemingly got nothing to lose, they're losing a lot more than you might think.

Mental fragility

While overall, the performances of Victory's youth products this season have been largely praiseworthy, the same sticking points appear to consistently raise their inexperienced heads.

The profligacy in front of goal is a serious issue - Victory's attackers exhibit excellent qualities, they're well drilled and they're all capable players who have clearly developed strong physical or technical attributes - or both. 

But when they channel through on goal they can rarely, if ever, find the back of the net. It's becoming an ugly black mark on the standard of coaching in the league. Performances like Josh Hope's, including an amateurish penalty giveaway that all but ended the contest for Victory, they're to be expected with age.

But at some point you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from at the other end.