Victory in Melbourne 

The Melbourne Victory’s Northern Terrace certainly set the tone for last night’s clash against Sydney in what was one very important match for the Victory. Whilst not condoning the use of flares, it certainly looked impressive and was very hellish indeed. The boys certainly responded with a great come from behind win. For a more detailed analysis, you will have to read my latest au.fourfourtwo.com blog post.

The other main talking point for the night was certainly the clash between Danny Allsopp and John Kosmina. For those who haven’t seen it, here it is. Mike Cockerill’s butchering-of-the-english-language response is hilarious.

Allsopp, who has added an aggressive streak to his game of late, set the tone for the rest of his team mates with an aggressive attack both on and off the ball and they duly responded.

Must admit that I am fairly nervous about tonight’s game against Adelaide. The team in red are in good form and the boys in blue are looking particularly toothless without the likes of Thompson, Ney Fabiano and Hernandez. A loss would see us drop six points behind our arch rivals - a gap we can ill afford at this stage of the season. The match could also see the debut of Matthew Theodore - a player I have been particularly impressed with since I watched play a number of times for the AIS in the VPL season just gone. A player with a bright future ahead of him.

On another note, the Victory ladies are taking on Sydney this weekend in their second W-League match. Will be a tough gig away from home with the arch enemy having a strong squad and are firm favourites along with Queensland Roar to challenge for the inaugral W-League title.

I missed only my second ever Victory home game on the weekend and from all reports I shouldn’t have really been too bothered about the fact. Haven’t even managed to see any footage of the game and I don’t think I will really bother.

In other news the good people at Four Four Two have seen it in their hearts to give me an opportunity to also blog on their website as well. I have got the Monday morning gig and you can check out my first post about the Victory’s ill discipline here. It might mean there will be a few less posts here, but I won’t let it slip too much.

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.

Usually I am more of an individual supporter, happy to sit in the stands and support my team. I’m not that vocal with the only time my vocal chords get a work out is when a goal is scored and I proceed to try and deafen my neighbouring supporters with my shout of joy.

But last Sunday was different as I went to my first game with the Melbourne Victory away supporters. I had been to away games before but usually amongst the home team supporters. And it was for a game against Sydney FC, the arch enemy, as we looked to deny them the chance of a minor premiership.

After two days of almost constant rain, Sydney finally produced some sunshine for game day and it was quite humid as my girlfriend, Caroline and I made our way to the pre-game pub. When we arrived at the pub it looked like most had been there for a few hours already and were clearly enjoying the beverages on offer behind the bar. The pub obviously hadn’t expected the turn out and the the three bar staff were barely coping with wave after wave of Victory supporters that descended on the bar.

After us being there for just over an hour the bar emptied as we joined our fellwo supporters as we took to the streets not bothering to obey the traffic signals as the group made its way into Moore Park. Through the group’s sheer numbers the traffic was powerless to do anything.

After a good twenty minutes of walking, chanting and two security checks we finally made it into the stadium. Those who had obviously done this before quickly took up their positions either in the stands or made their way to the nearby bar for another pre-game drink. The rest of us novices took up positions further back in the stands but not too distant as to create a separation in the mass of support.

As the first half kicked off so did our chanting, fearlessly lead by our capo and his lieutenants. It was not long before both the team and us as supporters were under pressure took an early lead. The noise of the home crowd descended on us like a massive wave and for a moment it felt quite suffocating. At that moment I knew what it felt like for away supporters at our home games when the Victory scored. However, amongst this noise our capo urged us on to continue our own noise and support. The team managed to hold on for the remainder of the half and were only a goal down at the break.

Not long into the second half we were back on level terms as a deflected cross found its way into the back of the net. We as one roared in celebration. A flare was lit and soon the smoke was burning our nostrils. We were ecstactic. We thought we had another shortly after but for an offside call. As luck would have it shortly have it we were again a goal down shortly after ours had been disallowed. Again that wave of noise hit us from the home fans - if anything it seemed a lot louder than for the first goal. Our capo, who looked totally spent, exhorted us again to respond. This time it was more difficult.

When we drew level again with fourteen minutes to go all you could hear was our roar as the home supporters went silent. The guys behind us had warned us that if we scored a goal his beer would go flying and true to his word we copped some beer spray during the goal celebrations. Both him and his mate then proceeded to knock me from where I was standing as they slipped on a combination of rain and beer. The remainder of the game was spent either holding our breath, mocking the opposition supporters and generally having a good time. When the final whistle came we celebrated like we had won and the players came over and showed their appreciation.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the active supporters. As I said in my introduction I’m usually not the vocal of supporters when by myself but when you are amongst a group you can’t help be dragged along by their enthusiasm. It also helps when there is that “us” versus “them” vibe that being at an away game generates. I will be definitely be looking to become a more active supporter in the future. I won’t be in the terrace every week as it will depend on the people with whom I go to games, but I will be there.