Skipper lays down challenge for Victory

Set to play his 100th A-League match, Melbourne Victory skipper Carl Valeri is demanding his champion team show more desperation at the death to avoid conceding costly late goals.

Victory blew their chance to take top spot in the last round when they allowed Melbourne City a 92nd-minute goal to secure a draw. Against Perth in round two they were 2-2 before conceding deep in the match.

Hosting in-form Wellington Phoenix tomorrow night at AAMI Park, Valeri said his team need to do better to successfully defend their A-League crown.

“It comes down to desperation and we know we have to be more desperate,” Valeri said.

“To have it happen twice in a season for me is too much and it’s something we’re looking to stamp out and really commit to not letting it happen again.”

Despite letting the win slip, Valeri said there was a lot to like about their derby effort.

Japanese superstar Keisuke Honda (back tightness) and Spanish midfielder Raul Baena (hamstring) missed the match but should return against the Phoenix.

“We still take a lot of positive things from the game,” the former Socceroos defender said.

“We have to take responsibility for the result because I think we performed well and controlled the game, but ultimately we drew the game and that’s what we deserved.”

Wellington have been in red-hot form, picking up three wins and a draw in the past month to set the scene for a gripping encounter.

“They’ve always been a strong team but form does bring confidence so there’s two teams with that – good players and it’s going to come down to who wants it more,” Valeri said.

“We’re going to have to be prepared to fight those little battles.”

A win would put secondplaced Victory ahead of Perth on the ladder, although the West Australian outfit’s final game of 2018 is away to Central Coast on New Year’s Eve.