Elvis ready to star in Victory’s derby show

Melbourne Victory sensation Elvis Kamsoba thought he’d blown his chance of playing in the A-League.

Elvis Kamsoba, left, competes for the ball against Corey Brown at Victory training this week. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne Victory sensation Elvis Kamsoba thought he’d blown his chance of playing in the A-League after a week-long trial with Adelaide United came to nothing.

The Burundian refugee had been invited to trial with his hometown A-League club three years ago.

“Josep Gombau was there and he did actually (like me),” he said. “But the week he called me in was the same week he left. He went and I was there with a different coach and he didn’t fancy me.

“One coach comes in, another comes in … that made it a bit hard.” Kamsoba was left with a decision: leave his adopted city or try his luck in Melbourne.

“I had a chat with my mum before I came, she was worried about me living by myself, but I told her it was my decision, trying to get any contract, as it wasn’t working for me in Adelaide,” he said.

Kamsoba hasn’t looked back.

He was given a chance at ex-NSL powerhouse Melbourne Knights before switching to Avondale and starring in their run to this year’s FFA Cup quarter-finals. The 22-year-old’s electric pace was on show even as the side lost to premiers Sydney FC, and he was awarded the Mike Cockerill Medal for best non-A-League performer in the competition.

From there, Kevin Muscat invited the flashy winger for another trial through December.

Kamsoba did enough, and on Saturday he could star in one of the A-League’s biggest fixtures: the Melbourne derby.

The pint-sized forward has made eight A-League appearances to date, but has yet to feature in a derby.

In fact he’s only witnessed one of them, as a Victory invitee to AAMI Park for the most recent edition — a 1-1 draw — before signing in January.

“I’ve seen myself (the derby is) always a big game. I’ve watched one … I didn’t watch A-League as much (before I joined Victory) but when I was involved with the club I had to come,” he laughed.

“The fans go crazy and I love that. I’m looking forward to playing.”

Keisuke Honda will soon play his first club match on Japanese soil in 12 years after Sanfrecce Hiroshima won through to Melbourne Victory’s Asian Champions League group overnight.

The blockbuster tie could also see Victory pitted against club legend Besart Berisha, currently on the outer but still contracted to the J League powerhouse. Sanfrecce Hiroshima needed penalties to get past Thai side Chiangrai United on Tuesday night, winning 4-3 after 120 goalless minutes.

It’s the result that Victory’s commercial arm wanted, ensuring tremendous interest for the A-League champions when they travel to Japan on March 12. Victory will then host Sanfrecce on May 22, a few days after the A-League grand final, in the group’s final match day.

Should Victory reach the domestic decider, it could be one of the most monumental weeks in the club’s history.

Victory’s chief executive Trent Jacobs acknowledged the occasion. “Sanfrecce Hiroshima’s qualification sets up an exciting pair of matches, which will no doubt create a real buzz,” he said.

“We as a club have recruited and prepared to have a real impact in this competition and look forward to our members and fans coming out in force.” It could also be Honda’s last match, given he is out of contract at season’s end and has yet to commit to playing on at Victory or elsewhere. Honda, who has 98 caps for Japan, last played his club football at home in 2007 with Nagoya Grampus.

The 32-year-old has struggled with a hamstring issue since December but could make his first start in two months against Melbourne City. Victory also faces Guangzhou Evergrande of China and South Korean side Daegu FC in their Champions League group.

Their first match is against the K League 1 side at AAMI Park on March 5. Australia’s other representatives, Sydney FC, also saw their group locked away after Tuesday night’s qualifying matches.

South Koreans Ulsan Hyundai belted Malaysian hopefuls Perak 5-1 to complete a group containing Japanese champions Kawasaki Frontale and Chinese champions Shanghai SIPG.

Sydney FC also kick off their campaign against K League opposition, hosting Ulsan on March 6.

The Newcastle Jets lost their bid to join the A-League premiers and champions in the competition when they lost their qualifier 4-1 to reigning ACL champions Kashima Antlers.

AAP