FFA gives Victory a breather

MELBOURNE Victory coach Kevin Muscat has his wish for breathing space between the two Melbourne derbies next month, with their FFA Cup meeting scheduled for October 25.

Cup holder Victory and cross-town rivals Melbourne City will meet in the first allA-League cup derby at AAMI Park just 10 days after their Round 2 A-League meeting at Etihad Stadium.

Canberra Olympic and Sydney FC will play the first semi-final on October 19.

In giving Canberra the earlier fixture, FFA has decided against holding two derbies within four days.

After winning through to the last four of the competition on Tuesday against Bentleigh Greens, Muscat said holding two derbies too closely together would reduce attendance.

The rivalry was “just going to grow and grow. It will continue to intensify the more games that are played.”

The timing might be seen to slightly disadvantage City, which must play Adelaide United three days later.

Victory doesn’t have to play again until the following Monday, when Wellington Phoenix makes its annual visit, but City coach John van ‘t Schip said he had no qualms.