Costa Rican import Marvin Angulo will be hoping to make up for lost time, with the 23-year-old set to make his Melbourne Victory debut against Newcastle on Sunday.
Costa Rican import Marvin Angulo will be hoping to make up for lost time, with the 23-year-old set to make his Melbourne Victory debut against Newcastle on Sunday.
Angulo’s path to the Hyundai A-League has involved a fair share of patience. After impressing Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick over two years ago, Angulo had to wait until Melbourne came calling earlier this season.
Keen to get his promising career moving, he agreed to join the defending champions but a hold up with paperwork meant he had to wait to until now to be able to play for his new club. However, he is hoping to turn this delay into his advantage now he can play, having spent two months training with his new team-mates.
“It has been a little frustrating having to wait. But it could be a plus, giving me time to get used to the new players, new coach and new lifestyle and I’m hoping that will let me hit the ground running,” he said through a translator on Thursday.
“I’m very excited about the possibility of playing next Sunday if I’m given the chance. It has been a while since I’ve played. If I get to play, I hope to make an impression.”
Angulo has been selected as part of an extended squad for the Newcastle match, with coach Ernie Merrick indicating he could get some game time.
“I won’t reveal the starting XI, but given the way (Angulo’s) been training with us for two months, he’s ready to come in. I’ll leave that final decision to the last minute and I won’t reveal too much to the opposition,” Merrick said.
But even if he doesn’t see game time on Sunday, Angulo sees an excellent opportunity at Melbourne and is keen to stay with the club long term.
“I have watched Melbourne, and they play a very attacking style of play. They like to play up forward and that suits me as I’m a very attacking player,” he said.
“I hope that I can stay here and extend my current contract if possible. It’s an important part of fulfilling my personal goals.”
Compatriot Carlos Hernandez returns for Sunday’s match as well, having overcome an ankle injury which saw him miss the 1-0 loss against North Queensland. Angulo praised Hernandez’s influence on him since he arrived at the club.
“It has helped me a lot. He is a good friend. He has helped me in every way he could to fit in. That’s been very useful in terms of adapting to the new club and culture.”
Melbourne regains Leigh Broxham and Mate Dugandzic as well for the match on Sunday, while Matthew Kemp and ArchieThompson are expected to play after both started in the Qantas Socceroos’ 2-2 draw with Kuwait on Thursday morning.
