Victory chasing a top-two finish
The Age
Friday December 11, 2009
MELBOURNE Victory's crowded Asian Champions League schedule, which will clash with the A-League finals, only makes it more critical that the team finishes in the top two to earn a week's break during the play-offs, coach Ernie Merrick said.The club could take itself a long way down that road if it can secure three points tomorrow night when it plays Central Coast in Gosford in a game in which its players will lack little in motivation.The Mariners have beaten Melbourne twice already this season, 2-0 and 4-0 at Etihad Stadium, and while the scoreline €” certainly on the latter occasion €” might have flattered the visitors, Victory knows that Central Coast will be potentially even more awkward opponents on its own Bluetongue Stadium turf.Youngster Mate Dugandzic is the only change likely to the squad that showed plenty of grit and fortitude in Wellington last week to grab a point with a late Rody Vargas goal. He will come in for the suspended Nick Ward, who was sent off in the first half of that game.Tom Pondeljak, who has been returning from injury and played a half in New Zealand, is likely to come into the starting line-up in place of Ward. Matthew Kemp has been under an injury cloud and nursing a strain, but he is still expected to start."I am leaning towards Tommy because he has done so well for us, but I won't make up my mind until nearer the game," said the coach.Merrick knows that points in the bank will be crucial come February when he has to juggle his line-up to cope with ACL games and A-League finals fixtures."That makes it even more important to finish in the top two. But it would be a good position to be in, top of the league, playing in finals. We have got a fair squad of players and we can rotate them through games."Still, it is this weekend that looms as a significant test. "They handed us our worst-ever defeat at Etihad but we have had a good away record in Gosford over the years," he said. "This won't be easy as they are always a tough team."
© 2009 The Age
