Club Reaction: 2012/13 HAL Season Draw

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Melbourne Victory is largely pleased with the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 fixture, released by Football Federation Australia (FFA) this morning.

Melbourne Victory is largely pleased with the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 fixture, released by Football Federation Australia (FFA) this morning.

The A-League-s biggest club will host 13 matches next season, with 8 of those games at AAMI Park and a further 5 at Etihad Stadium, including two home Derbies, with the first of those being the season opener at Etihad Stadium on Friday, October 5.

The club will play 4 Friday night and 8 Saturday games which is a great outcome for members and fans with these games traditionally drawing the biggest crowds and largest TV audiences.

The U-NITE blockbuster against Sydney FC returns again on Australia Day following the massive success of last year which incorporated a Citizenship ceremony prior to the match.

Victory will also take to the pitch on Melbourne Cup Eve against Wellington Phoenix, while the club again plays its Community Round in Launceston as part of its contribution to the growth of Tasmanian football. The club will continue to work closely with Football Federation Tasmania to further assist in the development of the game in the Apple Isle.

Managing Director, Richard Wilson, said the club was pleased with the new draw and excited to finally be able to deliver two home clashes with their cross-town rivals.

“The draw is fantastic for our members and fans with so many prime-time matches and we are extremely excited to finally be able to deliver two home Derbies against Melbourne Heart.

“We also retain our Australia Day U-NITE fixture against Sydney FC and will trial a game on Melbourne Cup eve against Wellington. It is great to see our community fixture will again be in Launceston and we-re looking forward to further establishing our football and community ties with Tasmania,” he added.

While the club also has the benefit of making only one trip to each of Perth and Wellington, it must finish the season with 3 of its final 4 games away from home.

Click hereto view all the fixtures for season 2012/13.