Match details
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Kick-off: 6.45pm AEDT
Preview
Melbourne Victory is aiming to maintain a perfect start to the season when Perth Glory visits AAMI Park in the Isuzu UTE A-League on Sunday.
Victory has won four straight games to begin the 2021/22 campaign under Head Coach Tony Popovic.
The only team with a perfect record in the Isuzu UTE A-League, Victory also reached the FFA Cup last 16 thanks to Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Adelaide City.
Anthony Leban scored a 96th-minute penalty to send Victory through after Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio was brought down in the area.
In another boost for Victory, Matthew Spiranovic played 69 minutes in his first competitive game since mid-2019.
Victory overcame Perth in an FFA Cup play-off less than a fortnight ago, and the teams meet again on Sunday.
Popovic’s side has started the league campaign with wins over Western United (1-0) and Brisbane Roar (3-0).
Victory fans produced an electric atmosphere at AAMI Park during the win over Brisbane as an own goal, Nick D’Agostino strike and Ben Folami header saw the Club earn three points.
It marked the first time since 2006/07 that Victory had won the opening two games of the Isuzu UTE A-League season, while the Club also became the first to score 700 goals in the competition.
Victory managed that despite being without Chris Ikonomidis and Roderick Miranda due to niggling injuries.
Sunday could mark a milestone appearance for Jason Geria, who could become the 13th player to make 100 Isuzu UTE A-League starts for Victory.
Player in focus
Fresh off a goal against Brisbane, D’Agostino comes up against another one of his former clubs, Perth. The forward has started both league games up front for Victory and combined with Marco Rojas for his goal against the Roar.
What they said
“The boss has instilled that belief in us since the first day of pre-season. I came here especially to win titles and win trophies and big things. It’s the biggest Club in the A-League and that’s our goal every single week and every single day we come to training, to work hard and obviously to achieve great things. He’s instilled that belief in all of us to put our best foot forward and win football matches.” – D’Agostino told media.
Last time
FFA Cup 2021 play-off
Perth Glory 1-1 Melbourne Victory (3-4 on pens)Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide
Victory and Perth met less than two weeks ago.
Lleyton Brooks’ stunning opener was cancelled out by Joshua Anasmo before Victory won the shoot-out thanks to two saves from Jerrad Tyson and Leban’s winning penalty.
Head to head
Play-off, FFA Cup 2021: Glory 1-1 Victory (3-4 on pens) at Marden Sports Complex
Round 20, 2020/21: Glory 2-1 Victory at HBF Park
Round 5, 2020/21: Victory 2-1 Glory at AAMI Park
Round 25, 2019/20: Glory 0-4 Victory at Jubilee Stadium
Round 17, 2019/20: Glory 2-2 Victory at HBF Park
