A-League preview Round 10: Melbourne Victory can ignite season on back of Asia performances
Melbourne Victory is under pressure to start producing results but goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas says the team only has to look at recent history to believe it can turn its fortunes around.
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Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas says the Asian Champions League qualification could ignite the club’s ailing season, if history is any guide.
But as pressure mounts on struggling Victory, Thomas is not looking beyond Saturday’s crunch game against Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park.
Thomas said the Asian campaign of 2018 was a turning point for the team as a late-season surge took it from fourth to the title.
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Victory will host Tampines Rovers (Singapore) or Bali United (Indonesia) on January 21, the winner to face Kashima Antlers or Kawasaki Frontale in Japan a week later.
The winner of that game joins China’s Beijing FC and Thailand’s Chiangrai United in Group E, plus another playoff winner, possibly South Korea’s FC Seoul.
“First we have to qualify,’’ Thomas said.
“It’ll be a big effort to get in, but looking back a few years ago when we started quite poorly, the Champions League helped us. We got away, we bonded and we turned our season around.
“It’s a positive really (if we qualify).
“As a player you prefer playing twice a week and training less, though it’s easy to say as a keeper because I don’t pull up as tired after a match.
“But we can’t look too far ahead. The thought is on the now, and getting it right.”
Thomas said the players had to stand up.
“We’ve had a rough start. You have to stare it in the face and accept what it is.”
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ROUND 10 PREVIEW
BRISBANE v WESTERN UNITED
Suncorp Stadium, 7.30pm
TAB Odds: Roar $2.50, Draw $3.40, United $2.70
Rejuvenated Western United can pile the pressure on Liverpool great Robbie Fowler when they travel to Brisbane Roar on Friday, having unearthed a young gem.
Roar is hovering in the danger zone, one point above bottom place, after it was trounced 5-1 by Sydney FC last week.
United debutant Jerry Skotadis, 19, impressed in midfield as Mark Rudan’s side snapped a three-game losing streak with a commanding 3-1 win at home to Melbourne Victory.
All action, Skotadis gave the midfield a better balance, as ex-Greece international Panagiotis Kone moved further forward alongside his fellow marquee pal Alessandro Diamanti, surprising those closest to him.
“I didn’t tell my parents or family (I’d be making my first start), they were a bit surprised,” Skotadis told Fox Sports.
“I felt good, it was good to get out there finally after a good few months with the team.”
DAVUTOVIC’S VERDICT: UNITED 3-2
MELBOURNE VICTORY v WELLINGTON
AAMI Park, Saturday, 5pm
TAB Odds: Victory $2.10, Draw $3.40, Wellington $3.40
Socceroos attacker Andrew Nabbout has been cleared of injury for Melbourne Victory, who must fix dodgy defending from within as their two gun sidelined defenders are unlikely to return until the pre Christmas derby on Saturday week.
Tommy Deng and Tim Hoogland are edging closer towards returning but Saturday night’s clash against big improvers Wellington Phoenix has come a week or so too soon for the duo, who’ll walk back into the first XI.
Victory coach Marco Kurz appeared shell-shocked after the 3-1 loss to Western United, but has quickly shifted his attention to solidifying the defence.
Victory fans are growing restless after the team’s wild inconsistency continued, as last week’s lacklustre display followed a gritty win over Perth Glory.
The positive for Victory is the gun front three of Nabbout, captain Ola Toivonen and Robbie Kruse, which is improving each week.
DAVUTOVIC’S VERDICT: VICTORY 2-1
NEWCASTLE v MELBOURNE CITY
Hunter Stadium, Sunday, 6.30pm
TAB Odds: Jets $2.70, Draw $3.50, City $2.50
Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren implored his teammates to build on the solid foundation that’s been built this season.
City suffered a heavy 3-0 home loss to Perth Glory last week, with the 4-0 FFA Cup final loss at Adelaide United the only heavier loss this season.
Maclaren, who’s netted nine goals, one short of A-League golden boot leader Adam Le Fondre (Sydney FC), and the attackers were feeding off scraps as City struggled to break down a disciplined, organised Glory side that finally showed glimpses of the form that secured Tony Popovic’s side the Premier’s Plate last season.
“The year’s started off well, we’ve got to keep that going. We’ve had some results that have set us back, but we got to the FFA Cup final,” Maclaren said.
Newcastle Jets were stiff to lose to Adelaide United last week, having 31 shots at goal in the 2-1 loss.
DAVUTOVIC’S VERDICT: 1-1 DRAW
A-LEAGUE LADDER
1. Sydney 8:7-0-1 +13 (21pts)
2. Melbourne City 8:-5-1-2 +2 (16pts)
3. Adelaide United 8:5-0-3 +4 (15pts)
4. Western United 9:4-1-4 +0 (13pts)
5. Wellington Phoenix 8:3-1-4 -1 (10pts)
6. Western Sydney 8:3-1-4 -2 (10pts)
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7. Perth Glory 8:2-3-3 +0 (9pts)
8. Newcastle Jets 7:2-2-3 -2 (8pts)
9. Brisbane Roar 8:2-2-4 -4 (8pts)
10. Melbourne Victory 9:2-2-5 -5 (8pts)
11. Central Coast 7:2-1-4 -5 (7pts)