Blockbuster recruit Juan Mata will only get "better and better" as Melbourne Victory settle into their A-League Men season, says coach Arthur Diles.
A month after signing with Victory, seeking more game time after a year at Western Sydney, World Cup winner Mata debuted in their season opener against Auckland FC, playing around 25 minutes off the bench.
The Spaniard showed glimpses of his quality, with some deft touches and clever balls into the box in the 0-0 draw.
"Probably three four weeks ago, when he arrived, I wouldn't have said that he'd be ready for round one, but he's worked so hard to put himself up for selection," Diles said.
"The decision to bring him on was, I think Xavier (Stella) was just starting to tire a little bit, and we needed some fresh legs in there.
"So that's why we brought Juan on there – and obviously, to unlock a team that's defensively very strong.
"You saw there's a couple balls that he put in for Santos and a couple that just fell short. So you can see his quality there. And he's only going to get better and better."
Diles was delighted with fringe Socceroos Denis Genreau and Jason Davidson, recruits who were superb against Auckland.
With a World Cup next year, Diles hopes the pair can make a genuine case for selection.
"I really hope so, because I genuinely believe that they've got the level required to go to a World Cup," he said.
"Whether they go or not, that's going to be a reflection of their work here at Melbourne Victory.
"And if they're doing the right thing here at Melbourne Victory, that means my team will be doing really well."
Victory hope to regain skipper Roderick Miranda (foot) against Newcastle next Friday, though Nishan Velupillay (hamstring) remains sidelined and Louis D'Arrigo also missed.
"As players come back in, it'll only make us stronger and better," Diles said.
"And in the meantime, we've still got to be picking up points and still playing good football."
Auckland return home to New Zealand for next Saturday's clash with Western Sydney.
After a testing stalemate first up, coach Steve Corica also expected Auckland to hit their straps again at a buzzing Go Media Stadium.
Auckland thrived on the fresh energy of being an expansion club last year, charging to the premiership.
"But again, that's finished this season, and it's a new season, and we need to step up again, and we've brought in players to try and do that," Corica said.
"So whether it takes a little bit of time to get them going, so be it, but I think we'll be in a good position come the end of the season."
