Melbourne Victory is eyeing back-to-back wins in the Hyundai A-League, facing the Newcastle Jets after a short turnaround.
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory
Thursday, November 23, McDonald Jones Stadium
7.50pm AEDT
Live on Fox Sports 501
Don’t forget, The Duke is Victory’s official away game venue for the 2017/18 season. Details: mvf.club/theduke
on the first league win of the season…
“I was just pleased I suppose, pleased for the group, pleased for everyone. I’ve been saying for the last few weeks we’ve played some good stuff just probably not for long enough to actually warrant a convincing three points, but on Sunday afternoon in Perth that came to fruition so I was just pleased for the group that they’ve been rewarded for what was an exceptional performance.”
on travelling to Perth and Newcastle…
“The group was buoyant. It would’ve been a hell of a long trip (without the win). We’re actually using the time as well to spend a little bit of time together. The first seven weeks have been fairly disrupted and to get the boys together and spend a little bit of time together with a game coming up on Thursday night in Newcastle, I think the timing was good that we’re on the road and using that time wisely as a group.”
on the win over Perth…
“The win was very important, but I think the way we controlled the game was probably the best thing to take out of the meeting, especially on an away trip when you’re obviously around the team so much, a win helps the mood in the camp. We’re together quite a bit this week so it was a good start and hopefully another one on Thursday.”
on the performance…
“I think as an all-round performance, it was by far our best performance and the score sort of reflected that. In the attacking third we had quite a few chances and defensively I didn’t have much to do. Overall, it was a top performance.”
on Leroy George’s form…
“His quality on the field is one thing, especially with the set-pieces and so on, he’s very dangerous. Outside of that, he’s a top bloke, he’s getting along with the team very well and I think he’s been a great addition this year so hopefully he keeps going the way he’s going.”
- Victory is undefeated in its past five games against Newcastle, winning three and drawing two.
- Of the past six games between Victory and the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium, four have ended as draws.
- George has created more scoring chances (22) and won more fouls (22) than any other player this season.
Newcastle Jets (two to be omitted): 3.Jason HOFFMAN, 4.Nigel BOOGAARD, 5.Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6.Steven UGARKOVIC, 7.Dimitri PETRATOS, 10.Wayne BROWN, 12.Mario SHABOW, 13.Ivan VUJICA, 15.Andrew NABBOUT, 16.Nick COWBURN, 17. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI, 18.Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 19.Kosta PETRATOS, 20.Glenn MOSS, 22.Lachlan JACKSON, 24.Joe CHAMPNESS, 30.Ivan NECEVSKI, 44.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
Ins: 10.Wayne BROWN (promoted), 12.Mario SHABOW (promoted), 19.Kosta PETRATOS (promoted), 20.Glen MOSS (promoted)
Outs: 1.Jack DUNCAN (foot – TBC), 23.Devante CLUT (omitted)
Unavailable: 8.Ronald VARGAS (ankle – indefinite), 9.Roy O’DONOVAN (groin – 3 weeks)
Melbourne Victory (two to be omitted): 1.Matt ACTON (gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 4.Rhys WILLIAMS, 5.Mark MILLIGAN, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Kenny ATHIU, 8.Besart BERISHA, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10.James TROISI, 14.Thomas DENG, 16.Josh HOPE, 18.Matias SANCHEZ, 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 21.Carl VALERI (c), 22.Stefan NIGRO, 23.Jai INGHAM, 31.Christian THEOHAROUS, 41.Leroy GEORGE
Ins: 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES (returns from international duty), 16.Josh HOPE (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 11.Mitch AUSTIN (knee), 17.James DONACHIE (quad)
