MVFC Blog

The Melbourne Victory may have little to play for in terms of this season - other than finishing dead last -, but the Queensland Roar’s win over the Perth Glory ensures that, for the Central Coast Mariners at least, this is a critical game.

The Mariners and Roar are completely level: 30 points each, 24 goals each, 17 goals against each. A loss to Melbourne would see Lawrie McKinna’s Mariners slip to 2nd spot.

For the Victory, it’s also a critical game. The Phoenix launched themselves closer to the top 4 by beating the Newcastle Jets last night. While finals football is all but impossible, Melbourne players will undoubtedly be hungry to turn around their 8-game streak without wins. And with the Asian Champions League looming ahead in 2008, it’s important for the Victory to have some good form to take into their campaign.

Carlos Hernández is the only man missing from Melbourne’s squad, but Ernie Merrick will have Nick Ward and Danny Allsopp vying for a starting spot. Grant Brebner and Steven Pace have also recovered from injury. All in all, Merrick has close to a full strength squad to pick from.

Lawrie McKinna, on the other hand, has some serious selection headaches. In last week’s dramatic loss to Sydney FC, talented goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic picked up a red card, as did Adam Kwasnik. Dean Heffernan broke a leg, while Greg Owens and John Hutchinson are also unavailable for tonight’s game due to injury. The only positive for McKinna is that John Aloisi appears good enough to play.

Can Melbourne end the year on a positive note, perhaps replicating its away victory over the Mariners last New Year’s Eve? With the Mariners fielding a B-team of sorts, the Victory have a perfect opportunity to end their winless streak. But B-teams can be dangerous teams, with bench players eager to prove why they should be promoted. Melbourne will have to tread very carefully.

My tip: Central Coast Mariners 2, Melbourne Victory 2

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