Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat was trying to keep a lid on things after his history-making side reached the last 16 of the Asian Champions League for the first time, but even his hard-nosed professionalism had to give way to the sheer pleasure of the moment.

''It's a big achievement considering we have had five attempts (to qualify before). That joy is overriding. It's great for the club, we have managed to create some history a couple of times this year, we had never won the FFA Cup either,'' he said after the 2-1 win over Gamba Osaka.

''I am so elated," Muscat declared, making light of the fact that his side might have shown its lack of match sharpness in the last 20 minutes, when it looked as though Gamba might claw their way back into the game.

''This has given me an unbelievable thirst (for the competition),'' Muscat said, as he looked forward to preparing his side for the home and away clashes of the round of 16 on May 17 and 24.

Gamba threatened to destroy the Victory party when the Japanese club scored late, setting up a nervous final five minutes.

''That was typical of our season, that we left the door half open, gave them an opportunity," Muscat said.

A failure to win on Tuesday night would have meant this clash with the J-League giants was the last game that Archie Thompson — who scored the crucial second goal — Kosta Barbarouses and Matthieu Delpierre would have played for the club.

''We spoke about removing emotion. I am not ready to say goodbye yet," Muscat said.

''I am sick of speaking of Archie,'' he joked. ''It was typical, you could have written your articles this afternoon. We always had a sense that he would play a part in some moment that would give us some memories.

''It was written in the stars that he would have a moment, I just hope he's got one or two more.''

Thompson emerged after the game to salute his teammates and the club which has been his home for so long, delighted that he would now get at least two more games in the navy blue.

''It's massive, great that we got through. Leigh Broxham said you will have more farewells than Johnny Farnham – I don't know what he means."