Victory mixes it up to unsettle opposition teams

WHATEVER the formation, Melbourne Victory believes it has struck on a winning formula after back-to-back ALeague wins.

Victory destroyed Central Coast Mariners 4-1 on Sunday night, scoring three goals in a 17-minute blitz at AAMI Park.

Keisuke Honda started the party and fellow World Cup star Ola Toivonen, on his Victory debut, helped finish it by setting up youngster Josh Hope for a stoppage-time sealer.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Victory’s triumph was overcoming a last-minute setback, with coach Kevin Muscat forced to re-jig his side after an injury to Jai Ingham in the warm-up.

In came odd-job hero Leigh Broxham and out went the 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Kosta Barbarouses playing a lone hand up front.

Muscat said however it lined up, it was clear Victory was dangerous going forward.

“Formation. It’s a buzzword at the moment,” he said.

“We’ve given up on culture and motivation and now formation is the buzzword in this country.

“In any given instant if you pause the game it’s difficult for you to say what the formation is.

“At times Keisuke was the highest forward making forward runs. At times it was Kosta.

“At times it was Terry (Antonis) from the other side. Leigh Broxham joined in.

“I really enjoyed watching it and the players enjoyed it.’’

Victory also believes it will only improve with Toivonen available. The Swedish striker enjoyed a 15-minute run after overcoming a calf issue and made a couple of telling contributions. Most importantly, he expands Victory’s options and makes it tougher to get in the side.

The league now goes on hiatus for the international break, with the Socceroos playing South Korea and Lebanon in the next eight days.