It’s the biggest stage the Harry Kewell A-League show has played on. And Melbourne Victory coach Mehmet Durakovic reckons his star Socceroo is ready to strut in the competition’s new showpiece fixture, the Melbourne derby against the Heart at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Two in-form teams, high stakes, a 28,000-capacity venue sold out the day before the match, and Kewell yet to score a goal from open play this season – perfect conditions for the sparks to strike Australian soccer’s lightning rod for drama.
Kewell has been busy but scoreless in the Victory’s two most recent performances – with several chances to find the net either well saved or spurned.
While others are finding the net around him, Durakovic believes Kewell’s turn is coming.
And he senses a marquee performance from a marquee player in what most believe is set to be the A-League’s marquee fixture, is on the way.
“It will come. The goals will come. Sooner or later he’ll be hitting the back of the net, then nothing will be stopping him,” Durakovic said of Kewell, whose only goal since his A-League arrival has come from the penalty spot.
“He’s come here with a big reputation. He’s one of the best footballers we’ve ever produced.
“We’re happy with the way he’s been playing. As long as he’s creating the chances, sooner or later he will score.”
The Heart go into the match with five wins in their past six matches – the form side in the competition along with top-of-the-table Central Coast.
Third-placed Heart could vault six points clear of their cross-town rivals with a win, while Victory can leapfrog the Heart and remain top four by the end of the round if they take all three points.
Heart coach John van ‘t Schip isn’t admitting as much, but his club are mulling the prospect of a top-three finish if they can’t make the top two by the end of the season to secure the finals double chance.
Finishing third in the league is likely to mean an Asian Champions League spot for 2013 – something Melbourne’s newer A-League team would relish for their players, sponsors and profile.
“I’ve not had any mandate from the board that we have to achieve this or achieve that,” van ‘t Schip said.
“To get into the finals, that’s the one goal we have. They’re not talking about third or fourth of second … but the highest possible position of course would be the best.”
The Heart will be without influential midfielder Jonatan Germano with a hamstring injury.
And the Victory must decide who will replace suspended midfielder Billy Celeski, with veteran Grant Brebner a warm favourite amid hot competition for places.
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