Melbourne Victory Football Club

Roy Keane linked with Victory job

Victory Offsider — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 04:08:54 +0000

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has been linked with the Melbourne Victory job earlier this week by Irish sources.

Sports News Ireland reported yesterday that the ‘Treble’ winning captain, who racked up 326 appearances for the Red Devils is looking “to learn the game at a lower level and gain experience before he is ready for a return to the Premiership”

The Irishman guided Sunderland from the bottom of the Championship ladder to win the competition and win promotion in 2007. He also led the ‘Black Cats’ to safety the season following before leaving his post in late 2008. He was then appointed as Ipswich Town manager. However, the reign only lasted 33 months as Keane could not repeat his Sunderland tenure.

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Kellaway moves on

Victory Offsider — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:32:08 +0000

Melbourne Victory’s Welsh import Geoff Kellaway has departed the club following his contract expiring on March 31st.

Kellaway joined the club last season from Dandenong Thunder as an injury replacement player after impressing the Victory staff during their pre-season preparations.

The 25-year old made a handful of appearances for the 2 time A-League champions with the highlight being winning a penalty in the controversial 2-2 draw with North Queensland Fury.

Finally confirmed: Solorzano joins Victory

Victory Offsider — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 04:15:20 +0000

Melbourne Victory finally announced the signing of Brisbane Roar striker Jean Carlos Solorzano.

Numerous footballing websites reported the signing of the 23-year old last week who was in high demand after netting 11 goals in 25 appearances for the championship-winning Roar last season, however Melbourne Victory caretaker coach Mehmet Durakovic announced the signing at a press conference today.

The striker already has strong ties with Victory, having played with our talismanic playmaker Carlos Hernandez back home with LD Alajuelense.

The Costa Rican joins on loan until the end of the season.

Kruse signs with Fortuna Düsseldorf

Victory Offsider — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 02:16:03 +0000

Melbourne Victory striker Robbie Kruse has signed with German second division outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf.

The 22-year old joined Melbourne after a controversial time with Brisbane Roar.

After a very successful season with Melbourne Victory where he was top goalscorer with 11 goals Kruse was snapped by Düsseldorf on a 3-year deal.

Upon signing with the second division side, Kruse was proud of joining up with the 2 time German Cup winners.

“It’s great to be able to play in this wonderful, traditional club,” Kruse said.

“I was very honoured by the interest of Fortuna and I think this is a great opportunity to develop myself and to show my skills.”

Kruse is in Germany with the Socceroos squad preparing for the friendly against Germany on March 29th.

Marco Rojas joins Melbourne Victory

Victory Offsider — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:56:02 +0000

Melbourne Victory announced the signing of teenage sensation Marco Rojas on a two-year deal from the Wellington Phoenix.

Rojas burst into the scene last season pulling impressive performances which included a memorable one in Wellington’s 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory where Rojas scored one and set up the other.

His performances led Rojas to getting called into the All White’s for the friendly against China.

Rojas admitted it was a tough decision moving clubs, but felt it was the right one.

“While it was a big decision for me, I’m really looking forward to the opportunities that will be presented at Melbourne Victory and I hope I can contribute to further success for the club” Rojas said.

Change of Heart – Dugandzic to Heart

Victory Offsider — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:38:53 +0000

The first big name across-town switch took place on the 28th February when Melbourne Heart announced Mate Dugandzic as their first big name signing of their 2011/12 season.

The 21 year old joined Victory in 2009 following the departure of Danny Allsopp and notched 37 appearances with 7 goals in return.

Heart coach John Van’t Schip said that Mate’s arrival is a big boost for the club’s Finals hoped for next season,

“Mate is a very young, talented player and he has some qualities that we think we can use for our team,” he said. “He can play easily around the striker, from the wings and he can also play as an attacking midfielder.

“He has depth in his game, but of course we know he is still young, and we hope to give him the playing time and experience he needs to develop into a great player.”

The Offside is BACK

Victory Offsider — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:48:36 +0000

After a long period away the Melbourne Victory Offside is back.

We will soon release articles on everything that happened between the 90th minute header from Dino Djulbic to the overnight departure of a certain player.

Stay tuned….

FINALS SERIES MATCH PREVIEW: Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory

Victory Offsider — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:53:15 +0000

After 30 weeks of grueling, controversy filled weeks of match action the 2010/11 season takes a turn home as the Finals Series begin. Stop one on the road to the final for Melbourne begins at Skilled Park as the mighty Victory take on the Gold Coast.

Form Guide
Gold Coast roll up to the finals bruised and tarnished having won one game in the last 5 where they’ve conceded 10 goals. However Gold Coast will be no walk in the park, there is some added tension ever since Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg labelled Victory ‘dirty’ following their 2-0 loss at AAMI Park last month.

Melbourne Victory have the privilege of heading into this game with most of their first 11 in line to play this game. With Matthew Kemp, Surat Sukha, Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez all recovering from their season-lasting blues to finally line up together. The headache for coach Ernie Merrick is how to balance his front third with Danny Allsopp, Robbie Kruse, Mate Dugandzic, Archie Thompson and Ricardinho all fighting for a first 11 spot.

Their Manager
It’s safe to say that Miron Bleiberg isn’t the most popular man in Melbourne ever since his scathing attack last month at AAMI Park. Was it the start of the famous ‘mind games’ or was it a real attack? The motive won’t matter as Miron would be under great pressure to do well in the Finals Series following their first round elimination to Newcastle last year.

In and Outs
Gold Coast welcome back strikers Bruce Djite and Joel Porter, Bas Van Den Brink also returns for Gold Coast. John Curtis, Robson and Jason Culina all miss out through injury.

Melbourne also gets a boost in the team as Leigh Broxham, Billy Celeski and Grant Brebner return from injury. Kevin Muscat misses out as he serves his 8 game suspension.

Man in the Middle
Strebre Delovski will be taking charge of this game with Hakan Anaz and Scott Adeling his assistants.

AAMI Park Connections
Out of their 23 man squad, 4 current players have come from the Victory. Glen Moss, Michael Thwaite, Steve Pantelidis and Daniel Piorkowski have at some time played for Melbourne.

Daniel Piorkowski made 30 appearances for Melbourne over an injury-scarred run from 2005 till 2008. He was an integral member of the 2006/07 Championship winning squad up until an injury halted his season. He moved on in 2008 to Newcastle Jets.

Steve Pantelidis also joined Melbourne in 2005 and made 58 appearances for Melbourne including one in the 6-0 drubbing of Adelaide United in the 2006/07 Grand Final. He holds two A-league Championship medals but made no appearances in the 2008/09 season. He signed for Gold Coast the following season.
Michael Thwaite signed for Melbourne in the pre-season following the 2007/08 campaign. He joined Victory from Norwegian side SK Brann following 5 years overseas. He played 16 times for Melbourne and holds a winners medal.

Glen Moss made 14 appearances for Victory after having played for Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand Knights. He signed a 2-year deal with Gold Coast at the start of the season to replace Jess Vanstrattan as Gold Coast’s #1.

Last Time They Met
Victory proved to much for Gold Coast as Danny Allsopp scored a brace to seal Victory a spot in the finals for the fourth time.

Full Squads

Gold Coast United: 1.Glen MOSS [gk], 2.Steve PANTELIDIS, 3.Michael THWAITE (c), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7.Zenon CARAVELLA, 8.ANDERSON, 9.Shane SMELTZ, 11.Bruce DJITE, 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK, 14.Joel PORTER, 15.Tahj MINNIECON, 16.Kristian REES, 20.Scott HIGGINS [gk], 22.Adama TRAORE, 23.Steve FITZSIMMONS, 26.Ben HALLORAN, 27.Chris HAROLD, 32.Steven LUSTICA, 33.Peter PERCHTOLD. *Three to be omitted*

In: 11.Bruce DJITE (return from hamstring injury), 13.Bas VAN DEN BRINK (return from ankle injury), 14.Joel PORTER (return from calf injury), 26.Ben HALLORAN (promoted).

Out: Nil.

Unavailable: John CURTIS (shoulder injury – unknown), 10.Jason CULINA (knee injury – season), ROBSON (hamstring injury – 2 weeks), Daniel PIORKOWSKI (ankle injury – indefinite).

Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael PETKOVIC (gk), 3. Mate DUGANDZIC, 4. Petar FRANJIC, 5. Surat SUKHA, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Matthew KEMP, 8. Grant BREBNER, 9. RICARDINHO, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Marvin ANGULO, 12. Rodrigo VARGAS, 13. Diogo FERREIRA, 14. Billy CELESKI, 15. Tom PONDELJAK, 16. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 17. Matthew FOSCHINI, 18. Danny ALLSOPP, 20. Sebastian MATTEI (gk), 21. Robbie KRUSE, 23. Adrian LEIJER (c) *Four to be omitted*

In: Leigh BROXHAM (returns from injury), Billy CELESKI (returns from injury), Grant BREBNER (returns from injury), RICARDINHO (promoted)

Out:

Unavailable: Kevin MUSCAT (suspension).

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Finals Dates Confirmed

Victory Offsider — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:58:25 +0000

Football Federation Australia has confirmed the dates of the A-League Finals Series today.

The governing body of Australian football squashed all rumors of the first Elimination final between Gold Coast and Melbourne being moved south stating that if the Skilled Park pitch was not “up to standards” the game would be moved to Suncorp Stadium.

So as things stand Melbourne Victory will close the first week of the finals series on Sunday 20th February at 5:30pm (AEDT)

There is hope for a home final for Melbourne, however that will only occur should we beat Gold Coast and Wellington beat Adelaide.

Hyundai A-League 2011 Finals Series Week 1

Adelaide United v Wellington Phoenix
Friday, 18 February 2011
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Local kick-off: 7.30pm (8.00pm AEDT)

Central Coast Mariners v Brisbane Roar
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Local kick-off: 7.00pm AEDT

Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Skilled Park, Robina
Local kick-off: 4.30pm (5.30pm AEDT)

Hyundai A-League 2011 Finals Series Week 2

Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Local kick-off: 7.00pm (8.00pm AEDT)

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Tando becomes Victory’s, Kemp, Pondeljak and Foschini re-sign

Victory Offsider — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 07:47:37 +0000

As rumored last week Tando Velaphi has signed for Melbourne Victory on a two year deal from Perth Glory.

Velaphi who has played 73 games in the A-League and has been at the Glory since 2007 joins Victory for their third Asian Champions League campaign.

Velaphi along with Isaka Cernak from North Queensland are the two latest signings for Melbourne.

On the re-signing front defenders Matthew Kemp and Matthew Foschini signed a two year deal and a one year contract respectively whilst veteran midfielder Tom Pondeljak also re-signed with the club for one year.

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