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Coach Kevin Muscat is insulted that Melbourne Victory have been accused of engaging in a dirty tricks campaign by their Asian Champions League opponents from Thailand.
Muangthong United’s English coach Scott Cooper initially claimed he was leaving the club after Saturday night’s one-off playoff tie against the Victory in Geelong, only to perform a complete backflip a few hours later.
In an interview on Muangthong’s website, Cooper accused the Victory and Australian media of attempting to destabilise the club.
“I will still be with the football club after the game,” Cooper said.
“The trick by the Australian side is clearly meant to unsettle the team, to unbalance us.
“But actually it’s a mistake because that makes us stronger and gives us something more to be annoyed at and fight a little harder.
“We use the trick to our advantage.
“That’s up to them if they want to write those things to try and make us feel uncomfortable.
“I look at that as though maybe they’re a little scared of us.”
Muscat was offended rather than scared, although he chose his words carefully on Friday.
“We’ve got our focus and our own job to do,” he said.
“Someone else’s issues is the furthest thing from my mind.”
Muscat said the Victory had nothing to do with the report on SBS where Cooper had said the ACL match would be his last at the club he joined just a month earlier from Thai champions Buriram United.
“I’m insulted to be honest,” said Muscat.
“It’s got nothing to do with us, it’s someone else’s issue and they should take them up with whoever they need to.”
Muangthong travelled to Geelong without North Korean captain Ri Kwang-chon, who failed to submit his visa application on time.
The Victory will also be without an important central defender after Adrian Leijer suffered serious facial injuries in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Central Coast.
But the Melbourne side will be strengthened by the return to their starting lineup of Socceroos midfielder Mark Milligan.
The Victory skipper made his return from a knee injury off the bench against the Mariners and will be on the pitch from the start of Saturday evening’s clash at Simonds Stadium.
Despite the off-field turmoil surrounding Muangthong, Muscat expected them to provide formidable opposition.
Cooper did not front up for Friday’s pre-match media conference, where he was replaced by assistant coach Pon Chamchuen.
“The problems outside the field are not a problem for the team,” he said.
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