A-League: Victory boosted by visa approval for Max Beister

Melbourne Victory import Max Beister has finally received his working visa clearance to start his A-League career.

Melbourne Victory import Max Beister is likely to make his A-League debut against Western Sydney today. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Melbourne Victory recruit Max Beister is likely to make his debut for his new club against Western Sydney after an 11th-hour clearance of his working visa.

The German youth inter­national has been in Australia for almost three weeks, working on his fitness as he awaited the arrival of all-important paperwork.

Coach Kevin Muscat has been patiently waiting for the news, and delighted in telling his new forward yesterday when the clearance was confirmed.

“We got an email nice and early. He’s got a spring in his step and we’re all looking forward to it,” Muscat said.

The visa approval has arrived in the nick of time. Not only is the 26-year-old Beister ready and raring to go for tonight’s game, but there’s an obvious vacancy in the forward line with Marco Rojas away on international duty with New Zealand. Still, Muscat won’t rush the loanee into the first team, declaring it would be “unrealistic and ­irresponsible”.

“We’ve been planning all week without him (but) he’ll certainly come into contention,” he said.

“We’ve got to a point now where he can be thrown in and add value. He can play anywhere in that front third of the park.”

Rojas’s absence and Muscat’s decision to delay Beister’s introduction means either Fahid Ben Khalfallah or Jai Ingham is likely to claim the vacant winger role against the Wanderers.

Captain Carl Valeri is also fit enough to resume, with Muscat saying his title-winning skipper was “touch and go for last week” and would be able to see out the match in central midfield.

The Wanderers arrive in Melbourne in a similar position to ­Victory. The sides are fifth and sixth in the table and yet to hit full stride after a month of competition.

The winners of the marquee match will consolidate their top-six place, but the losers could find themselves out of the finals positions by the end of the weekend.

To that end, fan support will be crucial but Muscat dismissed the suggestion Victory supporters could be outsung at Etihad ­Stadium. The club’s biggest active supporter group, the Northern Terrace, has disbanded in the face of increased security measures, leaving Victory short of full voice.

Muscat said the usually vocal ­visiting Wanderers supporters wouldn’t be allowed to reverberate around the Docklands venue.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he said. “There’s no love lost between the two teams. Both have got a massive fan base.”

AAP