It’s the club that has been clear favourite to secure the coveted A-League title since the start of the season. But can Melbourne Victory live up to the hype and take out the A-League championship?
Form
Deserved Premiers’ Plate winners for holding its nerve in the final run-in of the season, Kevin Muscat’s team finished exactly where everyone expected them too.
It has been well documented just how effective the Victory recruitment department has been in bringing the likes of Fahid Ben Khafallah, Mathieu Delpierre and Besart Berisha to the club.
Credit must also be given to Muscat for bringing a talented squad together, and more so, playing such an attacking brand of football. The Melbourne outfit’s average of 2.01 goals per game shows just how potent its forward line is, and the 31 goals conceded is the lowest of the A-League, highlighting the Victory’s ability to play appealing football in front of a solid defence.
However, we also know that the Victory has been prone to complacency in some parts of the season (see the 1-0 Newcastle Jets loss, as well as the 3-2 capitulation at home against the Phoenix). The side is the clear favourite ahead of the much awaited finals. but if anyone can ensure this does not go to the players heads, it is coach Kevin Muscat.
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Key Player
Besart Berisha. Is there anyone else? The Albanian is the man for the big occasion, and his record with the previous club Brisbane Roar proves that. Last year, he scored the winner against the Victory in the semi-final, and the equaliser in the grand final against the Western Sydney Wanderers. And of course, that winner against the Perth Glory in the 2012 grand final.
The Victory front man has netted 13 times in the regular season, and for a record fourth consecutive time. The goal-tally might not be as high as Victory fans expected, but the striker’s overall gameplay has improved.
Yet, it is his fiery personality and desire to win that will be the driving force for the Victory to go all the way.
Prediction
Can the Victory continue to hold their nerve in the finals?
The week off will help and backed by a bouncing Victory crowd, it should do the business and go all the to the end, regardless of what side it faces in the semi-final (which will either be Melbourne City, Brisbane Roar or the Phoenix, depending on what happens in the first round of finals).
Then, it is a home grand final. This could prove the difference for the Victory, as playing in front of a packed 30,000 strong crowd at AAMI Park is sure to spark up the troops. If the Melbourne club plays to its full potential, it can and should finish the season as champions. Just as everyone predicted it to.
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