- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Melbourne Victory have surged back onto the top of the A-League ladder on the back of tonight’s win against the Wellington Phoenix, and sent out an ominous warning to their rivals. They confirmed in emphatic fashion tonight that they do have the squad depth to challenge for a title.
FINAL SCORE:
Melbourne Victory 2
Wellington Phoenix 0
Melbourne Victory are flying high in the A-League but had their wings clipped by Perth Glory in the FFA Cup. Tonight they will look to put frustration behind they as they host the Wellington Phoenix. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
A week is a long time in football.
Last weekend Kevin Muscat’s men were revelling in the aftermath of a 5-2 thrashing of cross-town rivals, Melbourne City, now they enter tonight’s game having to back up after an extra-time loss to Perth Glory in the quarter finals of the FFA Cup.
For a team that is so ambitious, a loss is always hard to take, but having to play extra time, and finish the game with nine men due to two send-offs, only compounded their frustration.
All eyes will be on the Victory to see how they bounce back, and they will be out to send a statement to the rest of the A-League.
Standing in their way is the resurgent Wellington Phoenix.
The Phoenix have never beaten the Victory in Melbourne, but this encounter looms as the perfect time to end this drought.
The New Zealand based club are in good form having beaten the Mariners in Gosford, and thrashed the Jets at home in successive weeks.
Michael McGlinchey and Nathan Burns have been in strong form in recent times, and will have to play a key role again if the Phoenix are to break their duck.
How Melbourne can win:
Fatigued from the mid-week trip to Perth, and with key players Archie Thompson (illness), Besart Berisha (groin) and Matthieu Delpierre (hamstring) all facing an uphill battle to be fit, the Victory will have to do it the hard way if they are to get a result against the Phoenix.
Kevin Muscat will have to inspire a big effort from his troops if he is to get a win against his old boss Ernie Merrick.
How Wellington can win:
Last time the Phoenix were on the road against the Mariners they played perfect away team tactics by absorbing the early pressure and then countering when given the chance.
A repeat of that performance could easily lay the platform to end their horror run in the Victorian capital.
The Phoenix midfield will be crucial in this battle, and will need to deliver good early ball to their strikers if they are to snatch an early goal.
Likely Result:
The Victory have been heavily backed by the bookmakers, but there is a strong possibility that this could be the upset of the round.
Tip: Wellington 1-0 Melbourne
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.