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Melbourne Victory have run out comprehensive winners with three goals in the first half hour setting up a routine opening game victory against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Hampered by injury and the national call up of thier captain, the Wanderers never really got into this game, seemingly hungover after their ACL semi-final victory.
But full credit to the Victory who look a well rounded side going into season 10. Defensively resolute and with a killer final third not to mention great service from the wings, Victory will be tough to handle this season with tonight’s performance surely putting them in premiership speculation.
Berisha marked his debut for his new club with a goal from the penalty spot and a sweet assist to fellow front man Archie Thompson.
For the Wanderers a make-shift back line was routinely exploited with new boys Saba and Castelen not enough to turn the match despite solid A-league debuts.
Overall a great way to kick off the season, plenty of goals and plenty of drama, not to mention a few begging questions surrounding the disappointing Wanderers and well-rounded Victory.
FINAL SCORE:
Victory 4
Wanderers 1
Melbourne Victory welcomes the Western Sydney Wanderers at Etihad Stadium for the opening game of the A-league’s 10th season. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 7:35pm (AEST).
Kicking off the 10th season of the A-league both the Victory and Wanderers will be looking to start the new season with fireworks as new players for each hope to make an immediate impact.
For Victory, ex-Roar striker Besart Berisha will be eager to prove why he made the move south with a commanding competitive debut. While former Socceroo Carl Valeri will be hoping to play his first A-league game for the Victory after a lengthy career in Italy.
The Wanderers, in contrast, having neglected signing a marquee player, will likely still give notable A-League debuts to Brazilian playmaker Vitor Saba and Dutchmen Romeo Castelen who is expected to play on the right wing.
Touted as the slight favourites heading in, Melbourne Victory will need to shrug off a poor run of opening round starts having not won one since the 2007-08 season. A run of four draws and a loss make an opening round win look even tougher for Victory who are set to face a Wanderers outfit on the verge of conquering Asia.
Having dusted off the early season cobwebs in the Asian Champions League quarter and semi-finals, Western Sydney look like a polished Red and Black outfit going into the opening A-league round. Polish that has however faded with core players Matthew Spiranovic and Tomi Juric out with injury and Wanderers skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley missing through international duty.
In terms of history, Victory does have the advantage having won their last encounter 3-1. Prior to this, the Victory also snatched a last second draw from the Wanderers after an inch perfect free kick from Brazilian Finkler.
The battle between the Brazilians of Finkler and Saba will undoubtedly be a captivating one, willing they both feature, with both extremely enigmatic as attacking midfielders. While the dogged style of attacking play associated to both Berisha and Santalab should itself send some sparks flying.
Just who will win this inaugural clash?
In my opinion the Wanderers, with the advantage of recent ACL success, might just prove the stronger of the two in what will be a tight encounter but if the Victory can capitalise on a makeshift Wanderers defence anything is possible.
Join The Roar from 7:35pm to find out just what transpires.
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