Match Details
Melbourne Victory v Central Coast
Date: Sun 25 Feb
Time: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Location: AAMI Park
Tickets: http://mvf.club/almrd18
Use code ‘VICTORYKID’ to redeem. Adult general admission tickets are entitled to two free kids tickets
PREVIEW
Our boys in blue will face the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park for the first time this season on Sunday.
The last two meetings against the Mariners have ended in 2-2 and 1-1 draws, with Tony Popovic’s side looking to break the deadlock in the third meeting.
Both teams have only lost one match since the last encounter, however, our boys in blue have only won one of those while the Mariners have won five.
Bruno Fornaroli will be a welcome inclusion this Sunday after the Socceroo missed our previous encounter against the Mariners due to international duty. Since his return, El Tuna has yet to find the back of the net but will no doubt be looking to end the short-lived scoreless streak.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Head Coach Tony Popovic said he has been proud of his team’s resilience after having to play three matches within a week and walking away with a win against Western United.
“It’s been a big week so far. Obviously, the Derby on Saturday and the short turnaround playing Western United on Tuesday night. It was a wonderful result against United for us and the players backing up so soon after Saturday’s game and winning in dramatic circumstances at the end really shows the character and personality of this team,” he said.
“I thought the performance against Melbourne City in a Derby game was very good. We got a draw. Obviously, we would have loved to win, but I thought the performance was excellent and we won the game very late against United, so we’re pleased, but you have to move on from that.
“We know we have a very difficult game coming up against Central Coast. We’ve had two draws, so both have been very tight encounters, but we’re yet to play them here at AAMI Park in front of our fans.
“We saw how the fans were on Tuesday night at the end of that game and the support they gave us and we need that again on Sunday. We need them all here cheering for us and I know the players, the Club, all of us appreciate that support and that can make a difference.”
Looking to Sunday’s game against the Mariners, Popovic said he expects Central Coast to be full of confidence after their mid-week AFC Cup Zonal Final win.
“They had an important win last night in the AFC Cup and I’m sure they’ll come here with confidence, but we have a lot of belief at the moment ourselves,” Tony said.
“You can always underestimate the fact of fatigue playing in a big game for 120 minutes, but adrenaline and momentum can help you get through that. And we were fatigued on Tuesday from Saturday’s match and we scored two goals in injury time. So the mind’s a powerful tool and they have a lot of confidence.
“They’re having a very good season, so we certainly wouldn’t underestimate them with or without Thursday’s game, and they’ll get the respect they deserve and they’re the champions of last year and they’re having a very good season thus far.
“So we expect a tough encounter, but we feel here at home we’re playing well and we want to build on Tuesday’s result.”
Popovic’s side will remain without defender Adama Traore and attacker Roly Bonevacia, but the Boss has reassured that both are close to returning.
“We’re happy with their progress,” he explained.
“Maybe Adama has a chance because he’s trained with us this week and he will today train with the group, so we’ll assess him later in the week. But I’d say Roly should be available next weekend.”
FROM TONY
CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY
Melbourne Victory is the Club for all Victorians.
Join us as we focus on recognising the diverse and inclusive community that Melbourne Victory has fostered, through its multiple community and kids programs.
We celebrate the Club’s dedication to creating a passionate, connected community where football is accessible to everyone.
In celebration, all kids are FREE and can experience the Victory Village, post-match kick-to-kick and the game by using code ‘VICTORYKID’.
Each adult general admission ticket is valid to two kids tickets.
THE STATS
SQUAD
2.Jason GERIA, 5.Damien DA SILVA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 8.Zinedine MACHACH, 10.Bruno FORNAROLI, 11.Ben FOLAMI, 14.Connor CHAPMAN, 16.Stefan NIGRO, 17.Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18.Fabian MONGE, 19.Daniel ARZANI, 20.Paul IZZO, 21.Roderick MIRANDA, 22.Jake BRIMMER, 23.Salim KHELIFI, 24.Eli ADAMS, 25.Ryan TEAGUE, 27.Jordi VALADON, 40.Christian SICILIANO
Ins: 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 23.Salim KHELIFI
Outs: 37.Kasey BOS
