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Feb 07, 2022   |  7:57PM AET

Isuzu UTE A-League preview: Phoenix v Victory

Isuzu UTE A-League preview: Phoenix v Victory

Match details

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
Played behind closed doors – no crowd.

Preview

Melbourne Victory looks to build on its FFA Cup triumph when it resumes its Isuzu UTE A-League season against the Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday.

Victory claimed a first piece of silverware in the men’s game since 2018 with Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners in the FFA Cup Final.

Jason Davidson and Chris Ikonomidis scored their first goals for the Club in the win.

Davidson produced a wonderful free-kick to open the scoring before Ikonomidis volleyed in a superb strike in additional time.

Under Head Coach Tony Popovic, Victory has won 10 and lost just one of 14 games in an impressive start to the season.

Victory is returning to league action for the first time since January 25, when it drew 2-2 with Sydney FC.

Sitting third on the table, Victory (15 points) has games in hand on the top two – Western United (19) and Sydney (16).

A trip to WIN Stadium in Wollongong to face the Phoenix is also set to mark a milestone appearance for Marco Rojas, who produced an energetic performance in the FFA Cup Final.

Rojas is one game away from becoming the 15th player to feature in 100 Isuzu UTE A-League games for Victory.

Wellington sits seventh on the Isuzu UTE A-League table and beat Macarthur 3-1 on Sunday.

Player in focus

A milestone appearance for Rojas comes days after a lively display in the cup decider. The New Zealander is still the leader for assists in the Isuzu UTE A-League with five.

What they said

“I think we were both just happy to contribute to our team winning the trophy. If you saw his (Ikonomidis’) goal, for me, the level of difficulty to bring that ball down from a long switch, to set himself up perfectly and he just finished it with class. He’s a quality player and I’m really happy for him because he’s had a couple of injuries and he hasn’t gotten into that rhythm, but he’s a key player for us and for me to see him, I’m not surprised seeing him score a goal like that because we all know his quality, just happy for him that he could score that on that kind of occasion and help us win that trophy.” – Victory left-back Davidson told SEN.

Last time

FFA Cup 2021 Semi Final
Melbourne Victory 4-1 Wellington Phoenix
Saturday, January 29, 2022
GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Gary Hooper put the Phoenix ahead in the first half before Victory stormed home in the second.

A Nick D’Agostino brace and strikes from Josh Brillante and Ben Folami sent Victory into the Final, which it would win.

Head to head

Semi Final, 2021 FFA Cup: Victory 4-1 Phoenix at GMHBA StadiumRound 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