The scene is set for one of the biggest matches in A-League history tonight as Harry Kewell’s Melbourne Victory take on Brett Emerton’s Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium. Join us for live scores and a detailed description of the match from 6:20pm this evening.
In what is shaping up as the beginning of a new chapter in the A-League’s history, version seven of the nation’s premier football competition could not start with a bigger match-up.
Not only are the two biggest Australian clubs facing off but two favourite sons of Australian football are set to lock horns as well.
Kewell has returned from Europe as a free agent after stints with Leeds, Liverpool and Galatasaray. While, Emerton enjoyed time with dutch outfit Feyenoord before joining English Premier League side Blackburn in 2003.
Emerton played 94 matches for Sydney Olympic before departing overseas. Interestingly, tonight will be the first time that Kewell has played in a senior club match in Australia.
Both players fronted the media yesterday and did not shed any light on exactly which position they would play. In fact, there is a lot of mystery with the line-ups for tonight’s clash with both teams naming large squads that will need to be trimmed down.
Under Mehmet Durakovic, who replaces Ernie Merrick, Melbourne Victory will be looking to play a typically attacking style of football.
It didn’t get the results in a disappointing season last year but over the course of the A-League Melbourne Victory has played a style of football that tends to produce plenty of goals.
It made the Victory one of the more successful clubs in this opening era of the completion.
In the off-season many new names have joined the club and despite the retirement of defensive stalwart Kevin Muscat, the new signings have generally been of an offensive kind.
Ex-Perth ‘keeper Tando Velaphi will have to wait to make his debut for the club with a stress fracture likely to keep him out for some time.
Because of the retirement of Michael Petkovic , Victory have been forced into signing a replacement for Velaphi. Former Jets ‘keeper Ante Covic has joined the club and should play tonight.
While championship-winning forward at the Brisbane Roar, Jean-Carlos Solorzano will be hoping for similar success in a Victory shirt.
Of the four A-League players transferred to the Blue side of Melbourne, perhaps 19-year Marco Rojas is the most exciting. After finally breaking into the Wellington team at the end of last season, Rojas showed a lot of raw talent.
His excellent touch on the ball made him the focal point of the Phoenix attack in the last few rounds of the season.
26-year old Brazilian midfielder Fabinho has been picked up by the Victory after playing only 36 games since the end of the 2007 Brazilian football season.
Victory would expect plenty from their signings because along with Muscat and Petkovic, Evan Berger, Robbie Kruse and Mate Dugandzic have left the club.
In the past, Victory has always seemed to struggle without Muscat, so in the absence of an obvious replacement it will be interesting to see how the Melbourne defence holds up against the Sky Blues.
Carlos Hernandez misses tonight’s match because of international duty. It seems that Melbourne’s starting midfield could be completely different to that of last season. How it gels will be incredibly important in the initial phase of the season.
Sydney FC has had a relatively busy off-season. Karol Kisel returns to Sydney after scoring seven goals in 27 goes for Slavia Prague last season.
He will join Nicky Carle in the midfield stocks, but a calf injury keeps out of the side for tonight.
Vitezslav Lavicka has brought Jamie Coyne over from the Glory and ex-Socceroo defender Michael Beauchamp from Melbourne Heart.
Pascal Bosschaart is the sort of defensive midfielder that is suited to Lavicka’s laborious game style and will add grunt to the midfield.
After winning the championship two seasons ago, Sydney took giant steps backwards last season. Much of that squad has been cleaned out and fans of the Sky Blues will pin their hopes in ‘Emmo’ this year.
But if Sydney is going to have a successful season, younger players will need to stand up.
And one of the most exciting prodigies in the league is Terry Antontis who has been promoted from the youth team. He is a highly-touted individual who could be the spark Sydney need.
There is hardly any exposed form to go on for tonight’s match. It is really difficult to predict what will happen.
Will Melbourne’s attack have the chemistry in the first round? Can Sydney make the necessary improvements from last season? Does the Sky Blues attack have enough goals in it? Who will have a bigger influence: Kewell or Emerton?
I guess time will tell with a lot of those questions. One thing is for sure: the A-League is back and a Big Blue derby featuring Kewell and Emerton is the best way for the season to kick off.
I hope it’s a classic. I really have no idea who to tip. I have a feeling that Sydney will not be overly strong this season while Melbourne Victory haven’t always fired in the first week of the competition (only have won one round one clash in six tries).
For the sake of football, I will go with a 2-2 draw. Kewell to score a late equaliser for Victory!
Who will triumph in the Big Blue? Join us from 6.30pm AEDT for live scores and an interactive blog of all the action as it happens!
Kent Wesley Bowker
Guest
I saw Kewell and said no and bet against him scoring a goal in his debut. Made some nice winnings tonight.
Kent Wesley Bowker
Guest
40000 really. Is that normal down there. We had 13500 at Roar tonight and that's fairly big for us.
Kent Wesley Bowker
Guest
I didn't notice he does it above in his tip for the game too. Harry will come in late and score the final important goal. (Which didn't happen) What's with all the predictions that Harry is going to score the final winning goal. Is that his thing is it?
TomC
Guest
Emerton disappointing tonight. Kewell started brightly but faded towards the end of the game. Antonis, Foschini and Brebner were the pick of the outfielders, for mine. Bosschart was also pretty good. Coyne...not so much. Looked out of place at RB.
Kent Wesley Bowker
Guest
Was on sportsbet.com and noticed the Harry K specials. Such as will score in his debut with Vic. I bet no and obviously won. Some of the others r a joke thou, like will score winning goal to make final and how about will score winning goal at grand final. Lol odds must be nearly impossible. What I wanna know is if its just hype or do u think he will be the bees-knees? I've read a few predictions for him to be top goal scorer of season or player of the season. I think he's definately talented but is he better than all the great players we currently have. The clubs and games he's played r of a higher standard but I personally just don't see him running rings around everyone and constantly scoring every game or 2. Will Victory even use him that way or is he more needed to setup the goals and be taking shots only if the opportunity arises. We have many experienced players who have played internationally. Is he going to be all that for Vic and really make the team successful this season with Harry kicking the grand final decider into the net? Or is it just a bit more hype than deserved because him and Tim r the big household names? Also, any comments about Brett E n Sydney. What's the prediction for him and the team? Is he the new weapon to turn the tables or just a good team player with other players just as good n even better? Cheers Kent (Roar supporter) Please don't reply with abuse. I'm not having ago. I just want to know the fans opinion. If ur that upset because Harry is ur love child then I would like to know why u love him so.
Justin Cinque
Expert
So it ended 0-0. The second half developed into a bit of a stalemate. The biggest moment of the half came when Bridge was sent off for striking Vargas just as a free kick was about to be taken. A melee ensued and the game disintergrated from there. I thought the first half was outstanding. Both teams created plenty of chances. Kewell and Rojas were prolific for Melbourne. The were involved in so much for Victory. Emerton didn't have a good game. He missed a penalty and dispite coming back to what is known as a slower league seemed to struggle with the pace of the match, especially in that first half. FOr Sydney, Bridge played the lone man role and looked Sydney's only attacking threat and he almost scored...on more than one occassion. Covic denied him at least three times. In the end a point each is fair but the record crowd probably deserved a goal. They created a great atmosphere.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Yep. Great for the game.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Both Kewell and Emo have given post-match interviews, both did very well, very good ambassadors for their clubs and for the game generally.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Yep. I reckon the best players were Covic, Reddy, Rojas and Kewell in no particular order.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Yeah, Melbourne didn't do it well enough against ten men. Sydney made it hard for them for sure.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
You'd have to put Reddy and Covic in your top 3 players tonight.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+4′ Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC MElbourne one last chance. QUick throw in. Cernak brought down. No foul. THere it is. Full time. 0-0. Sydney missed a pen, Melbourne had 10 men to play against for final 15 minutes. Both teams had chances. Both keepers, Covic for Melbourne and Reddy for Sydney, were good. In front of over 40000 people it remained scoreless.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
SFC have done well to bottle it up here, not long to go, MV have failed to stretch the 10 men
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+4′ Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC Cernak near halfway for Melbourne who have little time. He loses the ball and SYdney have a throw-in. I reckon they're gonna hang on. 20 seconds to go...
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Solarzano with the free shot over the top, probably surprised him that it cleared the pack, puts into row z
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+3′ Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC Long ball into the box. Solarzano can hit it first time. Didn't have any time.He put it over. Melbourne running out of time.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+1′ Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC So on a night where the scores may remain level, the keepers have had blinders. Chances for both teams have been saved by world class keeping. I think it's the strength of A-League football. Australian keepers are world class. Melbourne in possession near the D.
Justin Cinque
Expert
89′ Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC Four minutes of stoppage time.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Cazarine to replace Carle, perhaps a sign that Lavicka is happy with the point at this stage. Carle gets a yellow for dawdling. Four minutes of extra time
Justin Cinque
Expert
89′ Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC So Cernak and Solarzano look okay. Of course both thompson and allsopp have been subbed. Melbourne maintaining possession with the extra man. Sydney done well since Bridge was shown red. Carle subbed for Cazarine. Time is wasted by the sub. Carle carded for time wasting. he took plenty of it while he came off.