Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce that its Liberty A-League side will be taking a pre-season friendly to Albury as part of a partnership with the Albury City Council as Jeff Hopkins’ side faces Canberra United on Friday 25 October.
The match will see the A-Leagues return to Lavington Sports Ground for the first time in ten years as Melbourne Victory plays its final match of the A-League Women’s pre-season against the club from the capital on the Murray.
Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie said she was thrilled to bring the A-Leagues to another regional centre this pre-season with two heavyweights of the league going head-to-head in Albury.
“It’s exciting for us to be able to showcase the A-League Women’s competition in a football-rich area like Albury and we can’t wait to head up to the border and face Canberra in our final pre-season match,” Carnegie said.
“Women’s football has taken centre stage in not only the football landscape but the Australian sporting landscape and to be able to bring both current and the next generation of Matildas to Albury is something we hope inspires the community to support the game and develop their own future stars.
“We’re incredibly pleased to be able to have this opportunity with the Albury City Council and to work with them on a strategic partnership that will see the return of professional football to the area, but also provide us with a springboard to foster deeper relationships and connection with the region and the community heading into the future.”
Melbourne Victory Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins said the match will prove to be an important test heading into round one.
“This match is vitally important to us as we put the final touches on our pre-season campaign and we’re excited to bring the A-Leagues to Albury,” Hopkins said.
“Lavington Sports Ground has hosted A-Leagues matches before and we’re looking forward to returning to Albury’s premier sports ground to bring elite football to the area.
“It will be our final match of the pre-season against an opponent we have had a great rivalry with over the years so we’ll be looking to end the pre-season on a high in Albury.”
Melbourne Victory faces Canberra United on Friday 25 October at Lavington Sports Ground, kick-off 6.20pm. Purchase your tickets for the match here.
