Jeff Hopkins knows that Melbourne Victory’s game against Adelaide United this weekend in the Ninja A-League can turn fortunes around for his side.
Taking on the Reds after enjoying a 1-0 triumph over the Original Rivals last month at AAMI Park, Victory’s Women will commence the Pride Cup double header at Coopers Stadium on Saturday, January 17, kick-off 4:50pm AEDT.
A well-placed finish from Rachel Lowe early in the second half proved the difference in the previous meeting between the teams this season, with Victory aiming to extend their 10-game undefeated streak against the South Australians.
This interstate trip follows a disappointing result against Brisbane Roar on their return to the Home of the Matildas after three straight away games.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Hopkins reflected on the team’s latest outing and talked about preparations for Round 13.
“It was a pretty scrappy game that came down to a mistake in an area where we’re normally very, very strong. The game could have gone either way. I thought we actually controlled periods of the game without really creating enough to actually win the game.
“We’ve been consistent in our messaging, consistent in our approach to what we need to do this week. It’s been a while since we’ve been in this situation with the team.
“We’ve got an amazing group of players here that will roll their sleeves up, and they’ll put in 110% for each other and for the Club. I know a win is just around the corner for us.”
Historically, Victory have enjoyed great success over their Original Rivals at Coopers Stadium, including a 1-3 triumph in the first-leg of the A-League Women’s Semi-Final last season, and the Head Coach is keen for a repeat this Saturday.
“It’s always a great game against them, they’re a quality side, and we love playing at Coopers. It’s a great surface, a great stadium, a great atmosphere, always a decent crowd there. With the double header this weekend, it should be even better.
“We’re going there knowing that just because we’ve won there in the past, it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take doing what we do normally and what we’ve done in the past there.
“We’ve built the game up to be a really big game for us. It’s a very, very important game for us. We’re going to go out there, and we’re going to put in an extra special effort to make sure we win the game.”
Hopkins also provided an update on the team’s injury list, with an addition made following the weekend’s action.
“Nicki had a little tweak in her hamstring again after missing last week. Really gutted for her, she worked so hard to get herself back, we were so careful with her, just one of those things.
“We don’t have Grace (Maher) or Zoe (McMeeken) either, but what we do have is the rest of them. They are fully fit and ready to go.”
Watch Hopkins’ full press conference below.
