Victory v North Sunshine Eagles
Epping Stadium
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST
Preview
Melbourne Victory will be looking to secure back-to-back wins in the NPLM 3 when they come up against North Sunshine Eagles this Saturday afternoon.
Victory return to Epping Stadium following their lengthy away trip to take on Ballarat City last time out.
The game against Ballarat was played in difficult conditions which both sides struggled to overcome.
Victory though grew into the match and gradually asserted their dominance.
Adem Duratovic opened the scoring just before the hour mark following a wonderful run from Binyam Kebede down the right wing.
Victory’s one-goal lead remained intact for the majority of the second half, before late goals from James Paneras and Nathan Stamatelos sealed the 3-0 win.
A valuable three points for Victory which kept their hopes of automatic promotion alive for another week as well as snapping a three-game winless run.
North Sunshine will offer a stern test this weekend, heading into the game off the back of three straight wins.
The Eagles’ recent run has secured their NPLM 3 status for another season and ensures they will head into the match with Victory brimming with confidence.
The two teams met at Larissa Reserve back in May in a fiery contest which finished 0-0.
Victory will need to recapture some of their best form if they are to see off a red-hot North Sunshine.
With just two league games remaining after this weekend, Victory will be intent on securing a strong finish to their 2022 campaign.
Player in focus
Binyam Kebede looked back to this best in the 3-0 win over Ballarat last week.
The forward wreaked havoc down both wings with strong runs into dangerous positions and will be looking to finish his campaign in a similar fashion to how he started it.
This week
Women’s State League 4 West: Point Cook v Victory Afghan Women’s Team (Sunday, July 31 at 1:30pm AEST at Saltwater Reserve)
NPLM 3 Victoria: Melbourne Victory v North Sunshine Eagles (Saturday, July 30 at 3:00pm AEST at Epping Stadium)
U21 NPLM 3 Victoria: Melbourne Victory v North Sunshine Eagles (Saturday, July 30 at 12:30pm AEST at Epping Stadium)
U18 NPL 1: Pascoe Vale v Melbourne Victory (Sunday, July 31 at 3:15pm at Hosken Reserve)
U16 NPL 1: Essendon Royals v Melbourne Victory (Sunday, July 31 at 1:15pm at Cross Keys Reserve)
U15 NPL 1: Pascoe Vale v Melbourne Victory (Sunday, July 31 at 11:30am at Hosken Reserve)
U14 NPL 1: Malvern City v Melbourne Victory (Sunday, July 31 at 10:00am at Gardiners Park Reserve)
Last week
Women’s State League 4 West: Victory Afghan Women’s Team BYE
NPLM 3 Victoria: Victory 3 Ballarat City 0
U21 NPLM 3 Victoria: Victory 11 Ballarat City 0
U18 NPL 1: Victory 2 South Melbourne 1
U16 NPL 1: Victory 2 Port Melbourne 1
U15 NPL 1: Victory 5 Port Melbourne 0
U14 NPL 1: Victory 1 Melbourne City 3
