Match details
Melbourne Victory v Wellington Phoenix
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Kick-off: 5.35pm AEDT
Tickets
Preview
Melbourne Victory is aiming to reach the FFA Cup Final for a second time ahead of facing the Wellington Phoenix in Geelong on Saturday.
The 2015 champion hosts Wellington at GMHBA Stadium, looking to secure a place in the decider against the Central Coast Mariners.
Victory enters the clash on a seven-match unbeaten run after drawing 2-2 with Sydney FC on Tuesday.
That encounter marked Victory’s first outing since January 8, and was much-needed competitive action ahead of the Semi Final.
Ben Folami starred at AAMI Park, opening the scoring before setting up Robbie Kruse’s second-half strike in the draw.
Folami’s opener was set up by Marco Rojas, who assisted for the fifth time in seven Isuzu UTE A-League games this season.
Victory will play in Victoria for the first time during this FFA Cup run.
After a play-off win over Perth Glory, Victory overcame Adelaide City (1-0), Gold Coast Knights (2-1) and Adelaide United (2-1).
If Victory wins, the FFA Cup Final against the Mariners will be played at AAMI Park on Saturday, February 5.
The winner of the FFA Cup also earns a place in the AFC Champions League play-off.
Player in focus
Kruse has been a regular during Victory’s FFA Cup run. The 33-year-old scored against Sydney FC on Tuesday and will be looking to build on that in Geelong.
What they said
“I’m enjoying it a lot, I’m enjoying my football. It’s good to feel the confidence and the belief from the coaching staff, that always helps you out as a player. I’m feeling that now and I felt it from day one of pre-season so I owe a lot of my form to them – the coaching staff – for how they’ve dealt with me.” – Victory star Folami told SEN.
Last time
Isuzu UTE A-League 2020/21 Round 13
Wellington Phoenix 4-1 Melbourne Victory
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Wellington and Victory last met in March last year.
Tomer Hemed, David Ball, Ulises Davila and Clayton Lewis scored before Elvis Kamsoba’s consolation goal.
Head to head
Round 13, 2020/21: Phoenix 4-1 Victory at WIN Stadium
Round 9, 2020/21: Victory 2-0 Phoenix at AAMI Park
Round 23, 2019/20: Phoenix 3-0 Victory at Sky Stadium
Round 10, 2019/20: Victory 0-0 Phoenix at AAMI Park
Round 5, 2019/20: Victory 1-1 Phoenix at AAMI Park
