A-League preview: Western v Victory

Jake Brimmer

Melbourne Victory is eyeing back-to-back wins in the A-League when it faces Western United on Saturday.

Summary

Victory recorded its first win of the season with a dramatic 2-1 success over Perth Glory on Tuesday.

Jake Brimmer netted in the 86th and 90th minutes, putting away the winner from the penalty spot to lift Victory past Perth.

It came despite Victory falling behind after having numerous opportunities, with Robbie Kruse, Marco Rojas, Brimmer and Jacob Butterfield, plus left-back Adama Traore, looking dangerous.

Kruse, making his first A-League start in a year, was particularly lively, while Traore set up Brimmer’s equaliser.

Victory was without Rudy Gestede (hamstring) and Callum McManaman (ankle) against Perth.

The clash against Western United at AAMI Park will be Victory’s third outing in eight days as its busy run of fixtures continues.

Western United is seventh on the table, having collected four points – one more than Victory – through three games.

Player in focus

What they said

“Our fans and members are the best in the league by a country mile. Everyone wants to come here and play Victory because you get to play in a European-like atmosphere. It’s a true credit to our fans and members for always backing us and coming out, the weather probably wasn’t the greatest yesterday (Tuesday) and they still turned up and made the noise. They probably got us over the line last night (against Perth). We’re glad we could repay them in some way last night, but obviously it’s just a small step for us. We’ve got a huge game on Saturday that we need to back that performance up and more importantly get the three points to hopefully keep ticking over.” – Victory star Kruse.

Last time

Hyundai A-League 2019/20
Melbourne Victory 1-2 Western United
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Victory was edged by Western United when the teams met late last season.

Tomislav Uskok and Max Burgess scored either side of half-time before Storm Roux netted late on for Victory.

As it stands

Head to head

Round 28, 2019/20: Victory 1-2 Western at Bankwest Stadium
Round 9, 2019/20: Western 3-1 Victory at GMHBA Stadium
Round 4, 2019/20: Victory 2-3 Western at Marvel Stadium

Match details

Western United v Melbourne Victory
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT

Melbourne Victory squad: 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Adama TRAORE, 5.Ryan SHOTTON, 6.Leigh BROXHAM (c), 8.Jacob BUTTERFIELD, 10.Robbie KRUSE, 13.Birkan KIRDAR, 14.Jay BARNETT, 15.Aaron ANDERSON, 16.Brandon LAUTON, 17.Elvis KAMSOBA, 19.Dylan RYAN, 20.Max CROCOMBE (gk), 22.Jacob BRIMMER, 23.Marco ROJAS, 25.Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO, 35.Zaydan BELLO

In: 
Out: 
Unavailable: 4.Nick ANSELL (injured – hamstring), 7.Callum McMANAMAN (injured – ankle), 9.Rudy GESTEDE (injured – hamstring), 11.Ben FOLAMI (injured – knee), 32.So NISHIKAWA (injured – shoulder)


Max Crocombe