Sydney United captain Ante Milicic headed home the only goal of the game against South Melbourne at Bob Jane Stadium on Sunday to get United's campaign on the road, and continue South's poor start.
"The boys fought hard, they gave everything they had," said United coach Branko Culina after the game. "We said all along that at the moment, it's not the time to play brilliant football. This time is to graft, work for each other, support each other. Good football will come."
"I thought we were very stiff today," said South Melbourne coach Eddie Krncevic. "(We) defended well. The only chance they were going to get was on the break, and that's exactly what happened. We deserved at least a draw."
Krncevic had recalled Michael Petkovic as goalkeeper in an indication the bodes ill for the future of Chris Jones at South - desperate to remain a first-choice keeper in the NSL.
Petkovic had only that morning stepped off a flight from Norway where he had concluded a three-month trial with Lillestrom, and his selection over Jones was clear indication of Krncevic's thinking. In any case, Petkovic gave a faultless display, and the United goal was not as a consequence of his inattention.
"Michael is probably the best goalkeeper in Australia," said Krncevic explaining why Petkovic was so quickly returned to the team.
"We've got three goalkeepers at the moment and Michael's number one."
In a game that was played at pace and without malice, referee Con Diomis found reason to caution six players, five of them from United.
"To get that many yellow cards is ridiculous," said Culina, otherwise reluctant to talk himself into trouble criticising the officials.
Diomis was himself the centre of attention early in the second half, when he awared a penalty to South after Ante Moric brought down South striker Peter Buljan in the approximate vicinity of the area, only to adjust his decision to a free-kick outside, after a consultation with his stand-side assistant. The amended decision was the better one although Krncevic preferred to consult the tape in the calm of his Monday review.
But by this stage, South were chasing the game. Sydney United had taken the lead eight minutes from the break when a cross from the right by Ante Deur was perfectly met by the high-jumping Milicic and headed in, low to Petkovic's left post.
South Melbourne's two youngsters were providing valuable service down the flanks. Ray Sekulovski in particular was earning his keep with some scintillating rund down the right, and his crosses into the danger-area.
Marco Santilli was active down the left and provided a half-chance in one foray for Buljan midway through the half.
United should have taken advantage of a break which gave them superiority in numbers on the half-hour. Perhaps it was the abundance of options which led to the wrong one being selected and the chance disappearing - Deur shot when there were better opportunities for others who had stretched the home defence to snapping point.
South's best chance at coming back into the contest came late on from Sekulovski whose turn and shot beat the United defence including Perosh in goal, only for the ball strike the underside of the bar and rebound to safety.
With Kiwi Vaughan Coveny out for an extended period - "months - maybe a whole season" was Krncevic's unhappy assessment, South will need to check out the market for team additions, otherwise this season could be a bleak one indeed for the Bob Jane faithful.
"We've lost nine players from last year's Championship team. The emphasis (this year) is to build the team," said Krncevic.