Priorities?

While Hoogland did make his long-anticipated return to action in the fixture – making just his third appearance in a Victory shirt and first since the Christmas Derby – both Rojas and Kruse were held back from Salvachúa’s starting XI.

Victory’s gaffer had hinted that his line-ups over the next few weeks would have to take into account his club’s commitments in Asia – which continues on Tuesday night when Thai side Chiangrai United visit ‘Melbourne Rectangular Stadium’ – over the coming weeks.

Perhaps his line-up on Friday night reflected which competition Salvachúa has his eye on throughout the rest of the season.

Having recorded Victory’s first-ever away win over Kashima Antlers, a run deep into the knockout stages may be on the agenda for the Spaniard, which would necessitate getting three points in the majority of group games at home.

The only problem with that goal is that, unlike Perth Glory and Sydney FC, Victory aren’t in a position in the A-League where they can afford to take a single eye off the domestic competition for even a moment.

Victory were clearly an improved side when Rojas and Kruse were thrown into the fray and, against a notoriously mentally weak foe that was playing with a defensive midfielder converted to centre back, one wonders what they could have done with a bit more time to poke and prod at their foes.

As it now stands, Victory haven’t won an A-League game since their 4-0 win over Newcastle Jets back on January 5 and the top-six, with all the teams sitting around their ninth place having a game in hand on them, is becoming an increasingly difficult ask.