Last time we saw John Kosmina at Telstra Dome, he left us with his charming “dark forces” speech after his former team was destroyed by the Melbourne Victory in the Grand Final. Tomorrow night, he returns, this time at the helm of Sydney FC.
Whether it’s Kosmina’s prowess as a coach, or Michael Bridges prowess as a striker, something/one has renewed Sydney FC over the past fortnight — ever since Branko Culina was shown the proverbial door. With consecutive wins under their belt, Sydney will be insistent on making that three out of three, a win which could launch them into the top 4.
And yet, Sydney have never won in Melbourne, a record the Melbourne Victory will be keen to sustain tomorrow night. But they must do so with a dramatically re-arranged squad.
With three players on suspension (Steve Pantelidis, Rodrigo Vargas and Joe Keenan) and Sebastian Ryall away on international duty, we could see first-time-at-the-Dome appearances from three players: Steven Pace, Evan Berger and Daniel Vasilevski.
Signed just over a week ago, former Preston Lions defender Steven Pace is a guaranteed start. Vargas’ suspension means that Kevin Muscat will probably make a return to the role he played in season 1, that of central defender. Matthew Kemp and Leigh Broxham should make up the rest of the backline.
With Muscat and Broxham probably shifting into defense, Ernie Merrick will be glad to have Grant Brebner back after injury forced him to miss last week’s game. An impressive performance from Daniel Vasilevski last week suggests that he might make his way into the starting 11, unless Merrick decides to start Adrian Caceres (for once).
This game is critical for both teams, who are placed 5th (Sydney) and 6th (Melbourne) on the ladder. Both are within reach of the top 4.
It’s my self-imposed job to predict the result, so here it is: Melbourne Victory 2, Sydney FC 0.
Let’s be positive, shall we?
Your tip?
4 responses so far ↓
1 Josh // Nov 9, 2007 at 8:13 am
Yes, let us all be positive.
Josh’s 11:
Theo (there’s only one!)
Kemp - Muscat - Pace - Broxham
- Brebner -
Carceras - Hernandez - Love
- Thompson - Allsopp -
Bench: Patafta, Berger, Vasilevski
I’m tipping 2-2 draw.
2 Peter // Nov 9, 2007 at 2:11 pm
3-2 . Our defence will invariably let some through, so I’m counting on the attacking forces to make up for it..
Lineup.. hmm let’s see.
Theo
Berger - Muscat - Pace - Kemp
Brebner - Hernandez - Vasilevski - Broxham
Thompson-Allsopp
Bench: Love, Patafta, Caceres
3 David // Nov 9, 2007 at 10:17 pm
It should be an open match with Sydney’s tails up from their revival under Darth Kosmina and the arrival of Bridges, and despite the last two results Melbourne have been playing well, even with ten men. The injuries/suspensions make for an interesting squad, hopefully the less experienced newcomers will be pumped by the atmosphere, I thought Pace showed great composure last week btw. Have a feeling it could go either way but I’m going to be positive too…
Melbourne Victory 2 Sydney FC 1
For the team selection…
Theo
Vasilevski Muscat Pace Kemp
Brebner
Broxham Berger
Hernandez
Thompson Allsopp
Bench: Love, Caceres, Langerak
4 Keir // Nov 10, 2007 at 12:22 pm
score: 3-3
formation: 4-4-1-1
GK:THEO
RB:VASILEVSKI
RCB:MUSCAT(CAPTAIN)
LCB:PACE
LB:KEMP
RM:PATAFTA
RCM:CARLOS
LCM:BREBNER
LM:CACERES
CF:ALLSOPP
ST:THOMPSON
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