Our second instalment features the enigmatic marksman that most defenders love-to-hate squaring off against one of Sydney FC’s second half of the season’s stalwarts.
Key match-up four: Besart Berisha vs Matthew Jurman
History always makes for an intriguing contest and none more so in our countdown than this particular duel. Both ex-Roar players, Besart Berisha and Matthew Jurman have not always seen eye-to-eye on the football pitch. A training ground spat between the two back in 2012 is all but forgiven but tension may come to the boil once more when they resume hostilities on Sunday afternoon.
A seasoned finisher, Besart Berisha has accrued a respectable tally of 14 goals in his 27 appearances for the Victory this season. Possessing a tactical footballing brain, Berisha is considered one of the best strikers the league has seen and comes into the decider in good form. With three goals in his last four matches, Berisha has been pivotal to Victory’s good form this season.
For Jurman, the beginning of the A-League season was littered with disappointment. Making 11 less appearances than his counterpart, Jurman first suffered a serious knee injury after his side’s opening match against Melbourne City. The centre-half then struggled with infection and illness over the Christmas period. However, using the mid-season hiatus wisely, he regained his fitness and was soon back in the starting XI.
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At 6’3” Jurman possesses a large frame and an immense physicality that Berisha has struggled to deal with in the past. Coming back into the team to face the Victory in February, Jurman’s inclusion meant Berisha was unable to dominate the centre-halves and despite his side scoring three goals on the night, the Albanian was unable to register one himself.
Jurman’s real strengths lay in his defensive capabilities. Out-and-out defenders are often hard to find in the modern game, but Jurman oozes of the strength and discipline these sorts of players exhibit. The 25-year-old averages 9 defensive actions a match, more than any of his team-mates. Furthermore, Jurman is yet to make a defensive error in his 16 appearances, suggesting that the Wollongong-born centre-back is commanding of his 18-yard-box. This trait is particularly important when considering that 13 of Berisha’s 14 goals this season have been scored from inside the box.
Berisha’s willingness to fulfil his side’s defensive duties may also prove integral on the night. With Jurman prone to knocking long balls when put under pressure, Berisha’s role as the first defender may cause significant problems for Sydney FC as they try to play out from the back. Winning possession back quickly has been a hallmark of Muscat’s side, and the emphasis will be no different come Sunday.
In the end, if Victory are to claim their third A-League Championship Besart Berisha will need to be on the field. The key is for the fiery Albanian to keep his cool on the night, and focus on netting goals for the home side.
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