Honda set to play brief role, at least
DAVID DAVUTOVIC MELBOURNE Victory’s Keisuke Honda says he’s not up to playing 90 minutes, but is ready for a second-half impact role in tomorrow’s epic top-ofthe-table clash with Perth Glory.
Honda declared his legs “100 per cent” but his conditioning “80 per cent”, as he prepares for his first minutes since mid-December after recovering from a troublesome hamstring.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat said it would be “unfair” on the team throwing Honda straight in after a seven-week absence, adding he needs to be treated with caution.
Captain Carl Valeri (hamstring) has been ruled out, with defenders Georg Niedermeier and James Donachie in contention to come in.
Honda said he was ready for the clash, which can bring Victory to within a point of Glory.
“Luckily we got a lot of points, even without me. Usually Kevin and the team would rush me if they didn’t get points, but they did,” Honda said.
“That gave me time to recover, and I was taking care of myself.
“I was relaxed because I couldn’t do anything (more). I had knee injury in Moscow, couldn’t play for 3-4 months, that was (worse). This is muscle (injury).
“Important is (to be fully fit) from March, the beginning of the Asian Champions League, so important thing is that I have to be 100 per cent.
“It’s close to that point. (I’m) 80 per cent. This is a very sensitive point – conditioning and legs are different.
“My legs are almost 100 per cent, but my conditioning is not. So I need to train hard every day from now on.
“I’m not ready to play 90 minutes yet. (How many) depend on the game situation.
“I always work 100 per cent every training, so my body was tired. My mind was OK, but Central Coast coach Mike Mulvey admits pride will be on the line when they face Western Sydney in a battle of the A-League cellardwellers today.
Despite 10 games remaining this season, the Wanderers are 17 points behind sixth-placed Wellington in eighth spot and all but out of the finals race.
The Mariners have fared even worse, winning just one game so far this summer and have been propping up the table since round four.
“People are saying this is a really big game. Maybe so, but it’s 10th vs eighth. There’s pride on the line for both teams,” Mulvey told reporters on Friday.
The Wanderers’ campaign hit rock bottom last week after getting embarrassed 5-1 by Newcastle in what was arguably their most feeble effort of the summer.
Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce has confirmed new signing Jamie Maclaren will be in his starting XI against Adelaide United tonight.
The Hibernian and Socceroos striker was signed late in the January transfer window and will get the opportunity to have an immediate impact for his new club at AAMI Park.
City also landed Tottenham youngster Shay Harrison, but he is more likely to start his A-League career as a substitute. my body wasn’t. But these injuries happen to all players.”
Honda said the Asian Champions League, kicking off within a month, was a target but the A-League title was as vital.
“Both, everything is important, we have to win every game and want to become champions again,” he said.