Melbourne Victory host Auckland FC in Round 1 of the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday, October 18, kick-off 7.35pm AEDT.
The blockbuster season opener is a repeat of last term’s memorable two-legged semi-final clash, where Victory crossed the ditch to stun a fervent home crowd and reach a second Grand Final in as many years.
At AAMI Park, Arthur Diles’ side will be fired up for more success over the reigning Premiers, launching themselves into the heat of battle from the foundations of an extensive off-season match program.
The Boys in Blue
On-field preparations started in early July when Melbourne Victory went toe-to-toe with Wrexham AFC in an international friendly at Marvel Stadium, ahead of a series of workouts against Victorian opposition – Caroline Springs George Cross, Hume City, Oakleigh Cannons and Northcote City.
In recent weeks, a duo of A-League counterparts were faced. Victory claimed two wins from a friendly double-header versus Perth Glory in Western Australia, either side of meetings with Adelaide United.
The second of these, a benefit fixture for Mildura Base Public Hospital, avenged a 2-1 reverse from September thanks to three goals inside the opening 16 minutes.
This comprehensive schedule has been coupled with an impressive recruitment drive, bringing a dozen new faces to the Men’s First Team squad before the transfer window slammed shut last month.
Kickstarted by the captures of Louis D’Arrigo and Keegan Jelacic, the loan signings of former Victory youth Franco Lino and Sebastian Esposito swiftly followed from Viking and Leece, respectively.
It was then time for Socceroos Jason Davidson and Denis Genreau, stacked with experience from Europe, to join the ranks, whilst the announcements of Emre Saglam, Oliver Dragicevic, Xavier Stella and Jack Warshawsky emphasised Victory’s commitment to youth.
With more left in the tank, winger Matthew Grimaldi and World Cup winner Juan Mata were added to further ramp up competition in Diles’ squad that retained the services of goalkeeper Jack Duncan, Santos, Adama Traore, Joshua Inserra and Captain, Roderick Miranda.
Round 1 Squad: 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 8. Jordi VALADON, 9. Nikolaos VERGOS, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, 14. Matthew GRIMALDI, 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 19. Jing REEC, 21. Roderick MIRANDA, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 25. Jack DUNCAN, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO, 28. Kayne RAZMOVSKI, 29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC, 35. Malik OLUKHALE, 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 64. Juan MATA
Unavailable: 5. Brendan HAMILL (long-term injury), 22. Joshua RAWLINS (suspended)
The Black Knights
After watching influential ‘keeper Alex Paulsen return to his parent club, AFC Bournemouth, Auckland FC targeted reinforcements between the sticks.
Unfortunately, a recurring hip injury forced Scott Morris to hang up the gloves just two months after joining, but they were able to prise New Zealand international goalkeeper Oli Sail away from Perth Glory.
At the other end of the pitch, former Young Socceroo Lachlan Brook ended his time in the U.S. to join the Black Knights, along with EFL goal getter Sam Cosgrove.
Their business concluded when Jake Girdwood-Reich reunited with boss Steve Corica. The pair won the Australia Cup together at Sydney FC, and it was in this competition that a chunk of Auckland’s pre-season outings took place.
After comfortable 0-4 and 0-3 wins against Gold Coast Knights and South Melbourne, they edged Sydney on penalties, only to fall at the semi-final hurdle to eventual runners-up Heidelberg United.
Elsewhere, they overcame West Coast Rangers, Birkenhead United and Central Coast Mariners, and recorded draws on trips to Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City.
Run it back
Melbourne Victory enhanced their unrivalled reputation when it comes to Finals football when they visited Go Media Stadium in May.
Arthur Diles’ team trailed by a single goal from the first leg at AAMI Park, and with only 35 minutes of the contest remaining, were still behind.
That all changed when Zinédine Machach found the net from distance to rock Auckland FC, and they were firmly floored after Bruno Fornaroli showcased his predatory instincts to turn the game on its head.
Anticipating a late onslaught, Victory dug in, and deep into injury time, having also been on the right side of a disallowed goal for the hosts, Josh Rawlins produced a critical goal-line clearance to cement Victory’s Grand Final berth.
Last time out
A flying start gave Melbourne Victory bragging rights as Mildura was the stage for the latest instalment of the Original Rivalry.
Kayne Razmovski’s header, Nikos Vergos’ composed effort and Keegan Jelacic’s guided finish gave Arthur Diles’ side an unassailable 3-0 advantage, to which Adelaide United had no response.
Auckland FC played out a stalemate with Melbourne City at Casey Fields last Saturday.
The visitors battled both last season’s Champions and windy Victorian conditions to conclude their pre-season action, displaying the hard-nosed defensive traits that helped them top the regular season ladder back in May.
