Sharpshooter Bruno Fornaroli has dismissed concerns over his five-game goal drought, backing himself to stand up when it counts and steer Melbourne Victory into the A-League Men grand final.
Fornaroli has 18 goals this season but hasn't scored since April 6, when he netted a penalty against Melbourne City, and his goalless run has included Victory's two finals matches to date.
He was shut down by Wellington pair Finn Surman and Scott Wootton in Sunday's 0-0 draw at AAMI Park.
But the 36-year-old Socceroo is confident the tide will turn - potentially as soon as Saturday's semi-final second leg at Wellington's Sky Stadium.
"I'm not worried," Fornaroli said after Sunday's match.
"Actually, I'm happy. After the last result, in the derby, you can see I was so happy at the end even if I'd not scored.
"Today I'm calm, I'm happy as well and I still believe. I know my chance will come.
"Maybe not now - it could be in the next game or maybe the final."
Victory coach Tony Popovic hooked a non-too-pleased Fornaroli for defender Connor Chapman in the 89th minute on Sunday.
"Look, I'm never happy when I come off - it's not just today," Fornaroli said.
"But yeah, I guess I knew there was another maybe five minutes to play, six minutes to play and I always believe until the end that I will have the chance. So this is why (I was upset)."
Fornaroli's woes summed up Victory's toothlessness in front of goal despite dominating possession and shots against the Phoenix.
Victory haven't beaten Wellington in four attempts this season (three draws, one loss) and heading to Sky Stadium is an ominous task.
"There's another 90 minutes. We believe in our football," Fornaroli said.
"We showed tonight what we can do and it's about now to repeat again in Wellington. We know it will be difficult. We deserved tonight maybe to win the game but we will try to win there.
"Sometimes football in the end pays what you deserve and I think a lot of the games we deserved to win against them and today was another case.
"So maybe football is waiting for the last days."
If Saturday's game goes to extra-time or penalties, Fornaroli was adamant he has the legs to see it through.
"No problem. I'm feeling very well physically. As you can see, I think I run a lot," he said.
"I'm ready to to fight and then go again until 120 (minutes) and penalties."
Popovic has parked contract talks until season's end and Fornaroli wouldn't be drawn on whether he expected the coach to stay, insisting players were fully focused on finals.
