Mathematics is the only thing keeping Melbourne Victory alive in the Asian Champions League.
So coach Mehmet Durakovic will send numbers into attack in the crucial Group E match next week which will decide the A-League club’s fate.
Durakovic, whose team drew 1-1 with Gamba Osaka in Melbourne on Wednesday night, signalled the message he would give his team going into their away clash with Korea’s Jeju United was “go for goal”.
The Victory must win that game next Wednesday to have any hope of progressing to the competition’s second stage.
Even then, they will need China’s Tianjin Teda – who lead the group – to beat Gamba Osaka in Japan in the other match for their magic equation to balance.
“It’s up to us – we freshen up, go to South Korea and attack again,” Durakovic said.
“We’ve got to go there and get the three points. Whatever happens (in the other game) is out of our hands. We’ll go over there, attack and do what we need to do.”
In Australia’s five seasons of ACL participation, only two A-League teams have qualified for the second stage.
Sydney FC became the latest to bow out on Tuesday.
The Victory are more likely than not to join them, particularly as Gamba Osaka must win to guarantee their passage to the round of 16 and have a sparkling home record.
But the Victory are unbeaten in their past three matches under Durakovic.
Their 1-1 draw with Gamba Osaka at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night to keep their ACL hopes alive was their third successive unbeaten match.
It was also further proof they are coming to grips with Durakovic’s tactical demands.
Those appear to involve more width, ebb and flow in the effort they extend at strategic times and an ability to run out matches more strongly than their rivals.
The Victory will also regain suspended trio Robbie Kruse, Grant Brebner and Surat Sukha, returning them to near full-strength.
Jeju United could also qualify top two in the group by beating the Victory and with a Tianjin win.
Roger
Guest
On pure mathematics alone, they have about 1 out of 10 chance of progressing - and that's not even taking into account that two teams need to win away games. So, we're looking at something like 5% chance of progression?
jmac
Guest
as soon as you start using the term 'mathematical chance' you know you are cooked! having said that, the improvement of this side in a short space of time under Durakovic has been remarkable, and I believe he has built a very strong case to be taken on as the new full time manager, regardless of whether MV achieves qualification for the knock out phase. MV all of sudden resembles their old self somewhat, in that they have gotten back their steel, they look threatening against quality opposition and are entertaining. Add to that the appearance of structure and a tactical plan (never Merrick's strong points) carried out in a disciplined fashion. He's achieved this in really only three games (I wouldn't count the first as he had only a couple of days to prepare for that one). If the club looks elsewhere for their new manager - lured perhaps by the need for a foreigner &/or a big name to please the marketers - they had better know what they are doing, as they could be overlooking a gem.