Entries from September 2008 ↓

The Melbourne Victory and Queensland Roar youth teams met this afternoon in Green Gully Reserve for the opening match of the A-League National Youth League. It was the visitors who went home with the points, with Queensland’s Joshua McVey and Mitch Nichols giving the Roar a 2-0 win.

Melbourne’s performance was promising but frustrating. Our overage players – Steve Pantelidis, Steven Pace and Daniel Vasilevski – shored up the defence, along with Robert Wynne and Cameron Drake, two solid centre-backs. Matthew Theodore gave a convincing performance as an attacking midfielder, but was rarely able to connect with the front pairing of Nathan Elasi and Dimitri Hatzimouratis. Nor was Ante Cicak, who worked the left flank but was unable to find the precision needed in the final third.

Nathan Elasi had Melbourne’s best chance with an opportunistic volley in the 38th minute. It beat Griffen McMaster, but hit the post, landing for Steven Pace, whose shot was stopped by McMaster. Beyond that excellent attempt, the Victory struggled to make a real impression in attack, only managing a handful of shots from distance, which were easily stopped by McMaster and his replacement, Luke Muir.

Queensland looked the more dangerous side at the start, but were kept quiet by a strong Victory defence. Josh McVey quickly made an impression after he was subbed on at the start of the second half, with a lovely strike putting his side in front after 48 minutes. 15 minutes later, Mitch Nichols took advantage of a goalkeeper mistake, beating Mijo Marinovic to give the Roar a strong lead. Isaka Cernak, from the senior team, looked incisive in midfield when he came on for the final half hour.

The game’s lowest point came in the final ten minutes, when Queensland’s Ben Griffin received a straight red card for pushing Milos Lujic in the face. What that suspension will do to his chances of playing in the A-League, I’m not sure, but it was sad to see one of the overage players acting so unprofessionally.

Melbourne Victory host the Queensland Roar on Sunday, as they try to maintain their hold on the top spot.

The Victory will be buoyed after their come-from-behind draw in Gosford last week, but they will have to meet Queensland without Michael Theoklitos and Ney Fabiano, who are both on suspension.

Lou Acevski comes into the squad as a back-up goalkeeper, as Mitch Langerak takes his place between the sticks.

It’s going to be a tough game for Langerak, with Queensland boasting a dangerous offence. Charlie Miller has scored in all but one game this season, while Reinaldo and Sergio van Dijk seem to be combining well up front. And with just one win so far this season, Frank Farina’s men need a win desperately.

My tips for the weekend:

• Central Coast Mariners to win at home against the Perth Glory. Perth got their first win last week, while the Mariners had victory snatched away from them by Archie Thompson. Home ground advantage will help the Mariners get the full three points this week.
• Adelaide United to lose to Newcastle Jets. The Newcastle Jets also picked up their first win last week, while Adelaide United have lost their past two A-League matches. Adelaide may be riding high after reaching the ACL semi-finals; but I think Newcastle will take advantage of their tired legs and steal an away win.
• Wellington Phoenix to draw with Sydney FC. There’s more hope than expectation behind this tip: most pundits are tipping a Sydney win, and it’s make or break time for the Phoenix, who are yet to win a game. Here’s hoping they snatch a draw or, even better, a win.
• Melbourne Victory to secure three points against Queensland Roar. It’ll be a fiery affair, but hopefully Melbourne will be able to finish the game with 11 men this week. If Vargas, Thwaite and Muscat can contain the Queensland attack, Melbourne will win this.

The Melbourne Victory has signed five more players for its inaugural youth squad, who play their first match at home this Friday afternoon against the Queensland Roar youth team.

The new kids on the block are Cameron Drake, Milos Lujic, Dimitri Hatzimouratis and Qantas Young Socceroos Mathew Theodore and Ante Cicak.

The Victory youth team now comprises 12 players, with the club allowed to bring in four overage players for matches.

The Melbourne Victory plays the Queensland Roar at Green Gully Reserve on Friday, kick-off 3:30 pm.

The Melbourne Victory decided yesterday not to appeal Michael Theoklitos’ red card, but today have to decide whether to appeal the 2-match suspension given to their #1.

One positive bit of news is that the FFA has agreed to allow Melbourne to sign a replacement goalkeeper on a short-term basis. Alternatively, the club could use Mitch Langerak, with youth team keeper Mijo Marinovic warming the bench.

Archie Thompson proved himself the hero on Saturday night when he snatched a last minute – literally – equaliser against the Central Coast Mariners, ensuring the Melbourne Victory remains at the top of the A-League ladder after five rounds.

For the second week in a row, Melbourne ended the game with ten men. This time, it was Michael Theoklitos to be sent off the field for apparently stomping on Sasho Petrovski’s foot. Once again, the threat of a longer suspension hangs over the club.

But Mitchell Langerak had an outstanding game off the bench, making several critical saves before being beaten by a Matt Simon header from point blank range.

While the Central Coast Mariners will be devastated to have given away the win at the death (not the first time they’ve done that this season), they should applaud Mark Bosnich for several great saves late in the first half and early in the second. Danny Allsopp and Carlos Hernandez both had opportunities that they should have converted.

With Sydney FC taking advantage of Adelaide United’s tired legs, the point in Gosford ensures that Melbourne remains at the top of the table on goal difference. The Newcastle Jets picked up their first win of the season, Joel Griffiths’ goal enough to beat the Queensland Roar, while the Perth Glory also had their first win, a 1-0 victory over the Wellington Phoenix.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0R5_p6krss[/youtube]

After a couple games at home, Melbourne heads to Gosford this weekend for an away game against the Central Coast Mariners.

While the news this week has been focused on Ney Fabiano’s 9-match ban, there is good news too. Jose Luis Lopez returns to the squad, as does Michael Thwaite, who has recovered from his injury. With Fabiano out of the picture, Tom Pondeljak is an excellent option to come into the squad.

The Central Coast Mariners have had a mixed season so far, with just one win, one loss and two draws. Before their round 3 clash against the Queensland Roar, they looked like a team in trouble. But that game proved that they remain a potent threat.

With Sydney and Adelaide playing each other earlier on Saturday night, this will be a critical round. A win for Melbourne will give them an even stronger lead, while a loss could see them drop from the top of the table.

My tips for the weekend:

• Queensland Roar to beat Newcastle Jets. Both of these teams have given mixed performances over the past couple rounds, but Queensland look like the stronger side to me.
• Sydney FC to draw with Adelaide United. If my tip happens to turn out right, Adelaide will be very pleased with the point. Although elated after their mid-week draw in Japan, they have to be getting tired.
• Central Coast Mariners to be outplayed and outscored by Melbourne Victory. I‘m tipping a two-goal win this weekend. I’ve had it right the last two weeks, so here’s hoping for a hattrick.
• Perth Glory to beat Wellington Phoenix. Two teams still in search for their first win of the season. Perth seem to be the livelier side, so I’m tipping a home win for them.

Ney Fabiano has been hit with a 9-match ban after supposedly spitting at Robert Cornthwaite on the weekend.

Guess it’s back to the Archie and Danny show.

The three-striker lineup was nice while it lasted though.

We’re four rounds into the A-League, and Kaz Patafta is yet to appear for his new club, the Newcastle Jets. All this after the youngster left Melbourne in search of regular game time.

So has Gary van Egmond’s decision to keep Patafta out of the squad vindicated Ernie Merrick’s decisions regarding Patafta last year?

Adelaide United were unable to capitalise on being a man up for over an hour last night, eventually losing to the Melbourne Victory 1-0.

It was a solid, tenacious performance by Melbourne, who deserved the win.

Ney Fabiano picked up a straight red card for spitting at Robert Cornthwaite, a suspension that could well be lengthened by the FFA. The Perth Glory’s Dino Djulbic spat at a referee two weeks ago and has received a five-match ban.

Oddly, the red card, given just before the half hour mark, did little to upset the balance of the game. If anything, Melbourne rose to the occasion, applying heavy pressure on Adelaide and matching them physically.

Adelaide had their moments, mostly with balls from the flank sent in to the box, but their finishing was quite atrocious – particularly in the air. Maybe it was an off day for the Reds.

Melbourne got the goal it deserved in the 63rd minute, when Sasa Ognenovski held back Archie Thompson in the box. Kevin Muscat lined up to take the shot, and then we saw something we’ve never seen before in the A-League: he missed. Or, rather, Eugene Galekovic saved it.

Thankfully, the rebound fell nicely for Muscat to tap the ball in on his second attempt.

But still. Muscat missed a penalty. A new day dawns.

…

I thought it was an excellent, gritty performance by Melbourne. While the blockbuster win over Newcastle Jets showed a Victory side capable of destroying the opposition, last night showed that this is a Melbourne side that has the fitness and determination to grind out a result.

Anyway, here’s the goal:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybadkXjUpQo[/youtube]

The Melbourne Victory will have to do without Michael Thwaite and Jose Luis Lopez tonight when it hosts Adelaide United at the Telstra Dome.

Despite Melbourne’s strong run of form so far this season, this promises to be the sternest test of the Victory’s strength. Adelaide are on equal points with Melbourne, separated only by goal difference.

Melbourne haven’t beaten Adelaide United since the Grand Final. The last time the sides met was the Pre-Season Cup, when Adelaide managed a last minute winner to give them a 2-1 victory.

The absence of Michael Thwaite and Jose Luis Lopez is obviously a cause for concern, although Sebastian Ryall is available to slot in as Thwaite’s replacement. Earlier this week, Merrick indicated that Billy Celeski would take Lopez’ usual position as defensive midfielder.

Other than that, there’s very little reason to see why Merrick would want to mess with the line-up that was so successful against the Newcastle Jets. Personally, I relish the thought of 90 more minutes of Allsopp, Fabiano, Thompson and Hernández playing together.

My tips for the weekend:

• Melbourne Victory to grab a single goal win over Adelaide United. A somewhat tempered tip this week. Adelaide are one of the strongest sides in the A-League this year.
• Newcastle Jets to rebound with narrow win over Sydney FC. Nothing like an embarrassing 5-0 loss to make a team come to its senses.
• Perth Glory to draw with Queensland Roar. Neither of these sides has won a game yet this season, and I don’t think either will get their first this round.
• Wellington Phoenix to lose to the Central Coast Mariners. The Mariners looked poor before the last round, but sprang to life against Queensland. If they can keep that momentum, they’ll dominate Wellington.