Victory in Melbourne 

As I said in my previous post, I was a little excited about Friday night’s game - first home game of the season and against Newcastle, a team for some reason I despise. Probably something to do with Joel Griffiths I’m sure. The afternoon pre-game was put also to good use, baiting members of my work’s Newcastle office.

Maybe, it was the first game of the season, or the fact there was no way I was going to wear my MV shirt from last year with “Patafta” on the back or most probably the effects of the beer drunk at after work drinks but I decided to dress up for the occasion - tie, vest, jacket, nice shirt, pants and shoes - you know the deal. Only problem, I don’t know how to tie a tie (don’t have to wear one for work) so I quickly learnt.

Anyway I was well rewarded for my dress sense with a 5-0 thumping of Newcastle and some excellent play from the Melbourne boys. The match started off slowly and I thought for a while it was going to be one of those nights where we dominate and then Joel Griffiths pops up in the 80th minute and bangs in the only goal of the game. But with a bit of tactical genius by Ernest Merrick (something you don’t hear me say to often), substituting an injured Thwaite for Archie Thompson, the flood of goals started as the Newcastle defence was made to look very ordinary. The main culprits being North and Covic.

There was a lot to be pleased about on Friday night - especially the way we played, but for me the standout players would have to be Hernandez, Lopez and Berger. An honourable mention goes to Ney Fabiano, who was unlucky not to get amongst the goals despite tireless running all night. I probably noticed his running more than mainly because of his running style. Make sure you have a look next time - its a bit odd. I am really enjoying our style of play at the moment and it makes for much more enjoyable viewing than what we were seeing same last season.

Was a bit disappointed with the crowd of only 22,000 - thought there would have been a few more with it being the first game of the season and all, but I guess everyone wasn’t as excited as I was. Hopefully in a couple of weeks time there will be a crowd of 30,000+ as we take on fellow league leaders, Adelaide.

And finally if you want to see me all dressed up for the game, visit here because it probably won’t happen again.

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.

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.

According to the official SK Brann website, the club had agreed to terms with Melbourne Victory on a loan deal for Michael Thwaite that begins at the start of July 2008 and ends February 2009. This is a good signing for the Victory as the defensive stocks were looking a bit thin. Thwaite should provide some of that aerial cover that we were sadly missing in our Asian Champions League campaign. Now if only they would confirm those Jose Luis Lopez rumours and then I would be a happy man.