It’s crunch time for Melbourne Victory this evening as they continue their struggle to remain in the finals race, hosting the sixth-placed Newcastle Jets. Join us for live scores and minute-by-minute updates of the action at AAMI Park from 5.30 pm AEDT.
The Jets are one of the form teams at the moment, having won four of their last five matches, and have a slender hold on the last remaining spot in the top six.
The Victory sits in eighth position, five points behind the Jets, meaning only all three points will assist them in staying in touch with the top six.
An away draw is an acceptable result for the Jets, but they are only one point plus goal difference ahead of Sydney so for them it won’t be a simple case of sitting back.
An away win would open up an eight point gap on the Victory, and effectively kill off their season.
The Victory go into the game with a few problems, and I’m not just talking about the defensive frailties and midfield feebleness that has plagued the team all season.
Harry Kewell, Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan all featured in the Socceroos’ game mid-week game against Saudi Arabia, in particular, Kewell will struggle to recover with the quick turnaround and is likely to start on the bench.
That’s unfortunate for the Victory, because Kewell has emerged as the Victory’s best player the past six to eight rounds, not just by reputation but also by his deeds on the pitch.
With the Victory needing the three points, look for them to attack the Jets from the outset, leading to an open game and plenty of goals.
Jets coach Gary van Egmond is an adherent of the modern pressing game; turnovers in dangerous areas and quick counter attacks will allow the likes of Jeremy Brockie to add to his considerable goal tally.
This is likely to be a very entertaining game, and the Victory will push hard for the win, but I see the Jets hanging on for a 2-2 draw.
Is there anything left in the tank for Jim Magilton’s men, or do the Jets kill off a finals contender tonight? It’s the first half of an enthralling A-League double-header tonight and we’ll have detailed commentary from the kick-off at 5.30pm AEDT. Go on, give us your thoughts and predictions in the space below!
The Cattery
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Thanks for joining me this evening, enjoy the rest of your night and weekend.
The Cattery
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FT MV 1 NJ 3 I guess it's no suprise that the game petered out in the 2nd half, Jets in the box seat by two goals after some excellent counter attacking in the first half, and horrible defence from MV. Harry had a chance to pull one back at the end of the first half, but missed a penalty by putting it two metres over the bar. In the second half it was just a matter of seeing the game through to the final whistle, and with the pressure on MV, they weren't up to getting two goals back, the pressure telling in the end with Carlos red carded 8 min from time. Pepper with two goals, Zadkovich a very attacking game from right back, not much to cheer for the MV, season over, Jets strengthen their claim on 6th spot
The Cattery
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91 min MV 1 NJ 3 4 min of extra time, going through the motions now, Jets have kept MV at bay with ease this second half
The Cattery
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88 min MV 1 NJ 3 sting gone out of the game now, a bit like the Victory team, the game symptomatic of their season as a whole, they really haven't been good enough
The Cattery
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86 min MV 1 NJ 3 Jeggo gets a sight on goal, but it's a horrible effort
The Cattery
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85 min MV 1 NJ 3 players like Solorzano and Cernak trying to lift their team mates, Foschini tries a shot from 45m
The Cattery
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84 min MV 1 NJ 3 What a season for MV. Most fans, most red cards, most penalties for, most controversy - but it's going down the gurgler in the Melbourne rain this arvo
The Cattery
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82 min MV 1 NJ 3 Carlos red carded!! He got plenty of the ball, but he did slide in from a long distance away, and collected the player along the way, and he too has run down the race
The Cattery
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81min MV 1 NJ 3 Carlos with only NTS to beat, tries one from edge of box, Kennedy parries
The Cattery
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80 min MV 1 NJ 3 Two corners in a minute, both good, Milligan gets a header across the goal, Solorzano heads out, lots of pressure now coming form MV Bridges comes on for Elrich, last sub for Jets
The Cattery
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79 min MV 1 NJ 3 Carlos puts in the corner, Kennedy off his line to punch with conviction, well cleared, MV in possession again, Carlos picks out Cernak on left, Solorzano, Cernak, Jeggo, Carlos, now right to Foschini, puts in cross, cleared, Broxham, Harry, very nice ball across the goal, no one there
The Cattery
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78 min MV 1 NJ 3 good cross, Solorzano header, Kennedy down low to save, very good chance then
Griffo
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argh! Some douchebag has turned over to the NRL! &%#$@ idiot!!!
The Cattery
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75 min MV 1 NJ 3 HOrrible pass from Milligan, a good 10m behind whoever it was tearing it down the left
Griffo
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MV still in it theoretically until the final whistle...but don't seem to have their hearts in it anymore.
The Cattery
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74 min MV 1 NJ 3 Attendance this arvo: 12,457
The Cattery
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73 min MV 1 NJ 3 Cernak with the through ball, too far for Carlos, he's not the fastest bloke around, and another Jets plyer is down on the ground, it's Pepper, all those goals have given him cramps
The Cattery
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72 min MV 1 NJ 3 Arch goes straight down the race as well, body language from all the MV players today not good, the season is gone, and Jim can probably tell his family to not pack their bags just yet, he'll be home soon
The Cattery
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70 min MV 1 NJ 3 Solorzano warming up for MV, final sub for them, Jets in attack, ball out, Jeffers down on the ground, Solorzano on for Arch
The Cattery
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69 min MV 1 NJ 3 Jeremy Brockie warming up, wouldn't he mind to get amongst the goals!