Match details
Melbourne Victory v Macarthur
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Friday, March 4, 2022
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+, A-League Radio
Preview
Melbourne Victory is eyeing back-to-back wins in the Isuzu UTE A-League when it hosts Macarthur at AAMI Park on Friday.
Victory was set to meet Brisbane Roar on February 25 before that clash was postponed due to severe weather.
The teams were then due to clash in Melbourne on Monday, but that encounter was also postponed.
Victory was last in action on February 19, when it recorded a thrilling 1-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners.
Nishan Velupillay headed in a Chris Ikonomidis cross in the 94th minute to get Victory back to winning ways at AAMI Park.
It was a much-needed win for Victory, which ended a three-game losing streak.
On what is a congested Isuzu UTE A-League table, Victory sits fifth ahead of hosting Macarthur, although it holds at least a game in hand on every team above it.
Velupillay’s goal was his second of the league campaign as he became the fourth Victory player to register multiple strikes, joining Nick D’Agostino (four), Francesco Margiotta (two) and Ben Folami (two).
The 20-year-old Velupillay produced a stunning cameo off the bench against Central Coast, delivering several good moments before his match-winner.
Victory saw defender Matthew Spiranovic suffer an injury and come off in first-half additional time against the Mariners.
Macarthur is third on the table, four points ahead of Victory and having played one more game.
Player in focus
Ikonomidis continues to build into his Victory career. The attacker set up Velupillay’s winner against the Mariners with a fine cross from the left.
What they said
“We try not to concede any goal and try always to score and this Friday will be the same. We know they’re a very good team, but they know as well that we’re a very good team so I think it’s going to be an interesting match to watch.” – Victory defender Roderick Miranda.
Last time
Isuzu UTE A-League 2020/21 Round 21
Macarthur 3-1 Melbourne Victory
Friday, May 14, 2021
Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Macarthur scored twice in the first half through Matt Derbyshire and James Meredith.
Elvis Kamsoba pulled a goal back for Victory before Derbyshire sealed Macarthur’s win.
Head to head
Round 21, 2020/21: Macarthur 3-1 Victory at Campbelltown Stadium
Round 20, 2020/21: Victory 1-2 Macarthur at AAMI Park
