Melbourne Victory on verge of first piece of silverware under Tony Popovic

The Central Coast Mariners would love nothing better than to spoil Melbourne Victory’s party at AAMI Park.

Tony Popovic is pleased with the progress being made by Melbourne Victory. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory is just one win way from a major step in the club’s remarkable resurgence under Tony Popovic.

A-League wooden spooners last season, the Victory can lift silverware – and earn a shot at qualifying for the AFC Champions League – with success in Saturday night’s FFA Cup final at AAMI Park.

Standing in the way are the Central Coast Mariners, who despite finishing nine places higher the Victory on last season’s A-League ladder, have a budget “four or five times” less than the Melbourne club.

That’s according to Mariners captain Oliver Bozanic, and he should know considering he was a Victory marquee player from September 2015 to March 2017.

“They’re going in as favourites and have had a great start to the season,” Bozanic said of the Victory, who have lost just once in the A-League since Popovic’s appointment.

“We’re here to do a job and are fully backing our team to go there and put in a great performance and to lift the trophy.”

Tony Popovic has taken Melbourne Victory to the FFA Cup final. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Popovic won’t take the Central Coast lightly, with their scalps on the way to the final including Sydney FC.

“(Saturday night’s) a chance for us to all be smiling and happy, but ... first we have to get over the line in terms of the game against an opponent that deserves to be in the final, and full respect to them,” the Victory mentor said.

“We expect it to be everything a final should be. It should be tough, it should be difficult, both teams want to win, and we obviously want to take this opportunity and be the ones that hold up that trophy at the end.

“This club has an expectation and is renowned for having success and always challenging for trophies and winning trophies.

“We want to get some more silverware and have an opportunity to get back in the Champions League as well.”

The Mariners will gladly fill the role of underdogs, and have adopted somewhat of a siege mentality after Football Australia’s refusal to allow recent signing, Scottish striker Jason Cummigs, to play in the match because he wasn’t registered for the competition in time.

Mariners coach Nick Montgomery said FA’s decision to prevent Cummings playing in the final was “disappointing” and “bad for football”.

“We’re used to it at the Mariners with decisions going against us, but we won’t whinge and moan about it,” Montgomery said.

“We brought Jason in, we thought we did everything right. It’s unfortunate he’s not involved but he’ll be there supporting the team.

“We just need to go there and give a good account of ourselves in the final.”

Originally published as Melbourne Victory on verge of first piece of silverware under Tony Popovic