Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat is keen to avenge his side’s 3-1 loss to the previously out-of-form Perth Glory, when his side hosts the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Thursday.
Melbourne Victory captain Kevin Muscat is keen to avenge his side’s 3-1 loss to the previously out-of-form Perth Glory, when his side hosts the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Thursday.
A Robbie Fowler hat-trick ensured the Victory suffered yet another defeat on Sunday at their ‘bogey’ ground, nib Stadium in Perth, but Muscat said he was relieved his men had the chance to turn around their form just four days later.
“We made a conscious effort to go over there and turn the result in our favour because we have not done so for quite a while up there,” Muscat said.
“It wasn’t to be, we performed poorly, and we got what we deserved.”
“So I’m not going to hide away from the fact that we were very poor on the night, and I don’t think anyone can come away with any credit from that performance. Naturally, you just look for a reaction tomorrow (Thursday) night.”
“I’m just grateful we’ve got the opportunity, three or four days after that game to put it right. It’s easier said than done, as we all know Central Coast are flying, they’re doing very well. But I’m just grateful for the opportunity, back here, back in Melbourne, to put things right tomorrow night.”
The 37-year-old has no doubts his body will cope with the demands of 180 minutes of football inside the space of a week.
“It was surprising maybe four or five years ago, but we’re fortunate here. The medical staff, the conditioning staff are so different to what I was used to after a decade in Europe. I was confident I will be able to back up. Time will tell,” he said.
Muscat said the game may prove season-defining if the Victory can snare all three points and kick-start their season.
“It’s going to be a difficult game tomorrow night, the two boys they (the Mariners) have got up front are very busy, put themselves about a bit. It’s going to be a test for us, we’re just grateful for the opportunity to put things right and get our season back on track basically,” Muscat said.
