NewsBite

Melbourne Victory must forget loss to Sydney FC, says Carl Valeri

Melbourne Victory’s Carl Valeri has urged his teammates not to waste time playing the victim over the loss to Sydney.

Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri tangles with Melbourne City’s Tim Cahill. Picture: George Salpigtidis.
Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri tangles with Melbourne City’s Tim Cahill. Picture: George Salpigtidis.

Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri has urged his teammates to move on and not to waste time playing the victim following last week’s controversial 2-1 loss to Sydney FC.

With the media spotlight still on the circumstances surrounding David Carney’s handball in the lead-up to his equaliser against the Victorians, Valeri was quick to play down the “we wuz robbed” sentiment.

“These things happen. We have to move on,” Valeri said yesterday. “Everyone saw what happened, but there’s nothing we can do about it.

“To be truly successful you just can’t keep clinging to the bad luck scenario and playing the victim.

“The only way out of this is to stick together, work hard and ­create your own luck. We know that.”

Valeri, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, was more interested in ­recognising the positives from a defeat that saw them drop from third to fifth spot, just a point in front of Western Sydney, the team they play on Saturday at ­Etihad Stadium. “It was hard and frustrating watching the game against Sydney. We had a great first half and created a lot of ­chances but we were not re­warded with any points,” he said. “We played very well and we should be judged on that.

“We have generally played good football, bar one game (the 4-1 loss to Melbourne City). Eventually the good results will come.

“But again, you just can’t wait for it to happen. You can’t keep saying ‘it is going to come, it is going to come’. You have to be prepared to do extra to make it happen.”

Importantly, however, the former Socceroo is ready to make his comeback. He will add some starch to the midfield.

“I have ticked all the boxes (for his return) and now I just want to get out there among the boys,” the 32-year-old said. “It’s been frustrating sitting it out, but I have had to be careful on the loads with my hammy.

“I ended up missing an extra week but that will be a benefit in the long run because it is better to miss a couple of weeks than risk being out for six or seven.”

Valeri hasn’t had much luck of late. He played the opening three games last season before being ­diagnosed with an inflammation of the brain. He missed the rest of the season.

“I guess when you break it down like that, you can say this is trivial,” he said.

Valeri said Victory needed to be wary of a Wanderers side unbeaten in their past four games after suffering an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Sydney FC in the opening round of the season.

“They are always tough to play. They are a good football team,” he said. “They fight, they battle and they are aggressive. It will be a good contest with both teams having a lot to prove.”

• Danny Choi’s A-League dream is over after he was released by Adelaide United yesterday.

Choi made two appearances for the Reds after being signed as an injury replacement for Marcelo Carrusca.

However, the former Blacktown City star, who became known for his wondrous goal from 70m in an FFA Cup match in July, suffered a stress fracture in his foot and underwent an operation that will see him sidelined for at least three months.

Injury aside, Choi would have been released anyway as ­Carrusca returned from injury last Sunday.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/melbourne-victory-must-forget-loss-to-sydney-fc-says-carl-valeri/news-story/8403ac4bc4f2712d1487700ba376a614