Victory eyes championship charge
MOST A-League clubs would be satisfied with transforming themselves from wooden spooners to premiership contenders and FFA Cup winners in the space of a season – but not Melbourne Victory.
The resurgence of the Victory – which finished bottom of the table last season – under super coach Tony Popovic has been remarkable.
Not only did the Victory lift the FFA Cup in February, the Melbourne club finished the regular A-League season with a 15-match undefeated streak.
The superb run of form resulted in the club placing second on the ladder, only a point adrift of premier Melbourne City.
The Victory’s superb form, plus the agony of coming so close to upstaging City in the race for the Premier’s Plate, has Popovic’s men primed and determined to win the ALeague championship by conquering all before them in the finals series.
“There would have been a lot of doubters thinking we wouldn’t be where we are, but we all had a lot of confidence from day one once we had the squad and the coaching staff in,” Victory captain Josh Brillante said at Wednesday’s finals launch in Melbourne.
“We’re not surprised where we are.
“Our standards are set so high and the bar’s so high that we’re always wanting more.
“Winning the championship would be a great achievement and reward for all the hard work we’ve put in this season, and we definitely think it’s very achievable.”
“We’re going into this finals series very excited.”
Courtesy of their first and second-placed finishes on the ladder, City and the Victory have the opening weekend of the finals off.
The series kicks off on Saturday night when Victoria’s other top-six team, Western United, hosts Wellington Phoenix in an elimination final at AAMI Park.
In Sunday’s elimination final, Adelaide United meets Central Coast Mariners at Coopers Stadium.