Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says past games are “irrelevant” as they prepare for a meeting with Brisbane Roar for the fourth time this season in their upcoming elimination final at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The past three have all sprung up different results between the pair: two comprehensive wins for the home teams as well as the 0-0 draw played as recently as last week, in which the Roar let the Premiers’ Plate slip away, somewhat ironically against Victory.
Roar go into the match as clear favourites with their great home record in season 2015-16 and third-placed finish, but being the lower-ranked team is not fazing Muscat.
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“It doesn’t bother me (the underdog tag), it doesn’t put us in any place in terms of favourite or underdog, that’s someone else’s opinion,” Muscat said.
“We’re going to have to counteract (their good home record) it, but If we start focusing on we’re we go and who we’re playing then you start getting a bit lost.
“We have analysed them and it’s the fourth time we’re playing, so I’m pretty sure both teams know each other well, it’s all irrelevant (past results).
“We’ve got to go over there, albeit all the attention will be on the final result, but the reality is the performance will dictate that. It’s better to perform well than be lucky, luck will last a game, a half or ten minutes, but consistent performances give you the best results.
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“If we want the ultimate success this season we’re going to have to win three away games, so let’s sort tomorrow night out and see where it takes us.”
Victory have struggled to progress up the table throughout the season and have been unlucky to a degree, with injured captain Carl Valeri (brain inflammation) forced onto the sidelines for much of the season.
Second-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas replaced the dropped Danny Vukovic at the end of March and has taken the responsibility at a crucial time, putting in a number of top-draw performances.
Conjecture arose as to whether Thomas should have been brought in earlier, however Muscat was not dwelling on it.
“Since he’s come in he’s been exceptional, that’s is his job as well, that’s what he’s in the team for, to make saves. Hopefully he’ll be a little bit quieter than he was last week,” he said.
“Danny’s had an indifferent year for a number of reasons, we’re fortunate Lawrence is through that period, he stayed focused and since he’s come in he’s done really well.
“Naturally this time of the year, everyone has a bit of spring in their step. It’s what you want to be involved in, you work all year to play in these games and in the grand final. There’s only one grand final for us and that’s tomorrow night. There’s no coming back from it.”
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