Victory in Melbourne 

Thought I would head off to the local on Saturday night to watch the Sydney vs Melbourne match particularly as I was rushing back from watching the Green Gully vs Melbourne Knights top of the table clash in the VPL (you can read my report here) and didn’t have time to go anywhere else. I don’t usually go there to watch Victory games and a Saturday night I doubt I will be returning. I shall not be naming names as I have done that on other forums.

First up, when enquiring to the possibility of putting the game on a big screen (they have five of them), the young lady behind the bar responded with a “not a hope in hell” because people wanted to watch the AFL match that was on that night along with the Olympics. I then kindly pointed out that the aforementioned game was being shown on four screens already and surely they could spare one for the football. Reluctantly she changed one of the channels so we (I was there with the girlfriend) didn’t have have to squint at the minute screen at the bar.

Secondly, we ordered some food to eat whilst watching the game. Nothing too fancy, just standard pub food and they couldn’t even get that right. It was downright ordinary. Thirdly, some of the patrons thought it must have been odd that we were watching football and asked what country we were from. Anyway, rant over and onto the game itself.

It was disappointing that Melbourne didn’t take away all three points from the game after completely dominating the first half and most of the second. A positive to come out of it was the style of play which was reminiscent of some of the form of late last season but disappointment that we didn’t make the most of our opportunities and we also found Clint Bolton in fine form.

All the new signings, played well and I was extremely pleased with the performance of Jose Luis Lopez and his command of the midfield and his combinations with fellow Costa Rican, Hernandez. Honourable mentions go to Ney Fabiano and Thwaite as well for their efforts. The injection of Celeski late on was another positive as he carried on the form that he showed in our failed Olympics campaign. Couldn’t have really expected to play more than he did, considering that he only got off the plane 24 hours earlier.

Plenty to pleased about, but overall it was probably two points lost than a point gained. Hopefully the result doesn’t come back to bite us in the arse later on in the season. Luckily there were two other draws so we are not that far off the pace. As long as don’t rack up five in a row like we did last year and I’ll be a happy man. And next time I will be off to a pub that gives a shit about football.

I don’t particularly like the Australian propensity to give people nicknames or shorten their names. Therefore I was particularly non-plussed when reading this article, to note that Melbourne Victory players had nicknamed new signing Jose Luis Lopez, J-Lo. Not very original boys. In the unlikely chance that I would choose a nickname for our new central midfielder, I would have called him George, but that’s just me.

I’m a big fan of fantasy football although usually not that good, unless you count my performance in selecting a bunch of twats at Euro 2008. Any of recent times I have been trying to pick my fantasy teams for the start of both the A-League and the English Premier League seasons and have noticed a disparity in the points allocated to players in the A-League. Its extremely difficult to pick a decent squad with your allocated 100 points. See below for my comparison between the two teams I have picked.

A-League Fantasy Team (One Minute Wonders)

Covic (8.0), de Vere* (4.5), McKain (7.5), Djulbic (6.5), Thwaite (8.0), Lopez (6.0), McKay (11.0), Miller (8.0), Pantelis (10.0), Smeltz (13.0), Hoffman (7.5), and Cristiano (10.0)

EPL Fantasy Team (One Minute Wonders)

Friedel (5.5), Schwarzer* (4.0), Laursen (6.0) Lescott (7.0), Clichy (6.5), Meite* (4.5), McShane* (4.0), Davies (6.0), Essien (8.0), Ireland (5.5), Fabregas (10.0), Hamann* (4.5), Torres (12.0), Santa Cruz (9.0) and Carew (7.5)

As you can firstly see I’m not really imaginative with the naming of my teams but as I have said above the points allocated by Fox Sports to players makes it really difficult to put together a quality balanced squad. Maybe they could take a leaf out of the Premier League’s system, which in my opinion is one of the best fantasy leagues going around.

Anyway if you want to challenge my One Minute Wonders for the A-League don’t forget to enter your team in the84thminute A-League fantasy football league. For all the details check out the84thminute site.

Was out at a freezing CB Smith Reserve covering the match between Fawkner and the AIS when a nearby gentleman asked if I had a spare pen. Being the kind soul that I am I fumbled around in my bag and found him one. It was only after I had handed it over that I realised who it was. It was Socceroo great, Alan Davidson who obviously checking out some of the AIS talent on show and needed my pen to take some notes. I would have let him keep it, but he was kind enough to return it with a knowing wink.

That is all. Obviously nothing to do with the Victory of course.

Earlier this week the FFA released the draw for the new National Youth League. I’m pleased that its length is the same as that of the A-League although that does include three byes for each team, due to the fact that there is only seven teams.

It was good to be back in somewhat familiar company in the pub watching the Melbourne Victory in action. It sure beats being one of a couple people with their faces glued to the television without sound as experienced in different surroundings during our ACL campaign. To be honest I was a little glad when I heard that there would be no extra time and that the game would be decided by penalties if the scores were deadlocked after full time. In a game that was dominated by both defences I don’t think I could have handled an extra thirty minutes of standing, especially after a reasonably long day at work.

Melbourne Victory officials finally confirmed one of the worst kept secrets announcing the signing of Jose Luis Lopez on a two year loan deal from Costa Rican side, Saprissa. The deal was made possible by the fact that Melbourne finally parted ways with Joe Keenan after they mutually ended his contract and thus freeing up an overseas playing spot.

Lopez, who plays as holding, creative midfielder comes with great credentials after spending five years with Saprissa. The signing also has this correspondent more than a little excited about the Victory’s chances in the upcoming season. Here is some footage to whet your appetite.

P.S. I was trying to use a Jennifer Lopez song title as the post title but couldn’t find anything appropriate.

The time has finally come and the84thminute has finally arrived. Check it out and let me know what you think. And if you feel like contributing, feel free to do so - see one of my previous post for details.

Special thanks to those who have contributed with words and also to my lovely girlfriend, Caroline, whose hard work has seen the site look like I had imagined it.

A few weeks ago I asked the question “So Mr Vargas, who will you be supporting?” when Melbourne Victory took on Green Gully in a practice match. Well I needn’t have bothered as neither Rodrigo or Andy Vargas played in the match held last night, which Green Gully won convincingly 3-1 at an extremely cold and wet underfoot Green Gully Reserve.

Overall a pretty average performance from Melbourne last night against a team that was fielding most of its reserves and Under 21s players. Good debut from new signing Michael Thwaite, who looked very comfortable on the ball, but would have liked to see him play more in the centre of defence and not at right back. Other new signing, Ney Fabiano look good in patches with some neat touches but looked sadly short of match fitness.

The crowd also got to see some players that could quite possibly make up our youth team with Fabio Dilizia looking like a good prospect apart from giving away a penalty and picking up a rather harsh red card for his efforts. It wasn’t the only red card for the night with Berger picking up two yellows and Green Gully’s very own Muscat, Emanuel, picking up two yellows in very quick session to find himself having an early shower.

It was good to see Melbourne back in action, but I’m not sure if the frozen hands and feet were worth it at this early stage in the season. As I’ve said before I’ll give the next practice match in Epping a miss - too far away and probably even colder than it was last night.