The Melbourne Victory finishes off its first Asian Champions League campaign with nothing to play for but pride, up against an opponent with just as little to play for. Melbourne could finish second in the group if it beats Chonburi FC tomorrow - a small consolation to cap off a frustrating ACL debut.
But does anyone really care?
Ernie Merrick has been in Central America on a scouting mission, returning today to coach his team tomorrow. Gary Cole may argue that Merrick’s trip would have gone ahead if Melbourne had had anything at stake in its final ACL match, but I find that very hard to believe. Tomorrow is effectively a friendly, and the club is treating it as such.
Except, of course, that they weren’t keen to release Leigh Broxham, Billy Celeski and Nick Ward to play for Graham Arnold in the Olyroos’ Intercontinental Cup campaign. Michael Lynch wrote a rather condemning piece about that issue earlier this week. But before you string up Victory management, consider Arnold’s lack of effort at getting the trio. He could have had them if he’d wanted.
Anyway, all that aside…
Archie Thompson may return tomorrow, his first appearance since picking up an injury in the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifier against China in March. Thompson has plenty of motivation to accelerate his recovery, as he faces the prospect of lining up against Juventus next week, and the possibility of more World Cup qualifiers in a couple weeks.
Carlos Hernández shone in his short stint against the Chunnam Dragons, and this game gives him another chance to get up his match fitness. Leigh Broxham’s back after serving his one-match suspension. And Mitchell Langerak will have his second start in a competitive (sort of) match for the Victory.
This will be the last competitive (sort of) match in Victory colours for Adrian Caceres and Daniel Piorkowski. It may also be the final game for Chonburi’s Ney Fabiano, who is set to sign with Melbourne after the match, according to the latest reports from Thailand.
This dead rubber match on a Wednesday night in the middle of AFL season will be an interesting gauge of football’s popularity in Melbourne. A sizeable dip in crowd numbers is to be expected, and 20,000 would be tough to crack. But this will provide a good indication of the resilience of Victory supporters.
For what it’s worth, here’s my tip: Melbourne 3, Chonburi 2
Your tip?
9 responses so far ↓
1 Philip // May 21, 2008 at 1:13 pm
It may be a dead rubber but Melb still has a lot of work to do to get the team structure working well and to give the ‘next generation’ some opportunities under match conditions.
I like Caceres and Piorkowski but i will be dissapointed if either of them play. They wont be in the squad next year and we need to see players like Elasi, Berger and Patafta (if he is staying) given more of a run.
Hernandez’ return should be a bonus for us and I’d give Archie a run off the bench to add some spark late in the game (no, Ernie, not the 89th minute!, lets say the 70th minute)
With nothing to loose I am predicting (hoping for) an open game and at least 4 goals. I am just not sure who will score them!
Ok, let’s stay positive: Victory 3, Chonburi 1.
2 new tactix // May 21, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Trying to pick scorers is always a tough one. Based on your scoreline philip my money is on MV Goal 1: Vargas (header from a free kick)
MV Goal 2: Hernandez from a free kick (well we have been waiting all season!)
CFC Goal 1: Baga (we should sign him)
MV Goal 3: Who other than arhie off the bench OR substitute this with a Kevin penalty.
Well I’m off to TAB to put my money where my mouth is…
GO MVFC and I hope to see at least 70mins of each of the youngsters (kaz, elasi and berger)
3 Jimmy // May 21, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Dose any one know if the game is on the radio?? or online??
4 Philip // May 21, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Well done new tactix … you picked Vargas (disallowed), Hernandez, Archie and Muscat to score goals and you were right with every one of them! Hope you got your money on the scoreline.
Pity we didnt get more of Elasi and Berger. And no Kaz at all makes me think his days are numbered.
At least we finished on a high note. Role on Juve!
5 chris // May 22, 2008 at 10:46 am
its a performance like this that warrants are expectations to be high, is that an unfair call?
6 Football // May 22, 2008 at 11:03 am
LoL Tactix..did you win any $$$ ?
Good result to finish off the ACL. Funniest thing was when Muscrat got a few boo’s for pissing around in his box during the first goal.
7 Astri // May 22, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Good tips guys, hope you made some cash. Bring on Juve and version 4.
8 new tactix // May 22, 2008 at 10:28 pm
if vargas’ goal was allowed would have been a good win - but I have my membership for next season covered now… Yay!!
Archie really turned things around when he came on… he was the difference. We looked average again in the first half, there was just nothing convincing in the final third. Happy with the win just disappointed to not see the youngsters. I think Kaz should find another club as to much time on the bench will begin to stunt his development.
Bring on Juve!
9 Sly // May 24, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Solid performance in the second half and entertaining game. Just like the league last season they seem to produce the goods when there’s nothing left to play for. Just makes you wonder what might have been if Hernandez and Archie had been playing in the other games.
I was dispointed too New Tactixs that the youngters like Kaz and Elasi didn’t get a run out. There was nothing to play for so it was the ideal opportunity to give them some experience. Just tipical of Merricks inherant conservatism that he gives 2 defensive minded players a go rather than some attacking flair.
Incidently anybody know what was behind the B&W brigade shifting up to level 3 and slagging off Telstra Dome. I thought that had all been sorted.
Leave a Comment