Owner: Victory In Melbourne URL:http://www.victoryinmelbourne.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:40:32 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: A blog about all things to do with Melbourne Victory and the great game of football that grabs my attention. Site statistics:Click here
First silly season signing 2008-02-27 05:46:31 Only days into the beginning of the silly season, Melbourne has made its first signing
with the announcement today that Tom Pondeljak has signed with the Victory for the next two years. Pondeljak, a former Melbourne Knights player, returns to his home town to probably finish off his long career. His signing coincides with the excellent news that Nick Ward has also agreed to a one year extension on his previous six month contract. My only concern is that of recent times, Pondeljak has been a tad injury prone, but if he stays fit he should provide great support for a midfield that already contains the aforementioned Ward, Hernandez, Celeski and possibly Patafta.In other firsts for the week, my indoor soccer team won its first ever game; I had my first crack at football journalism with a matc Read more:First
A change in scenery 2008-02-16 05:14:06 Last night I finally got round to checking out a Victorian Premier League match. I had given it thought around the same time last year but in the end I never got round to it. Probably too many other distractions - it may have been when I started taking up golf. Anyway back to the matter at hand, the match I went to was the first of the new Foxtel Cup season between Richmond Eagles and last year's champions, Preston Lions at Kevin Bartlett Reserve.Having never supported a VPL team before, I went through and long arduous selection process in order to choose one. In fact, it boiled down to a club that had a stadium that was easily accessible by public transport from my house in Kensington. So in the end it basically came down to Richmond and South Melbourne, and I couldn't support the latter Read more:scenery
Reflections and musings on a week in football 2008-02-09 20:10:58 The end has almost come on what I said earlier would be a big week of football and I have finally got round to write and muse about it.The footballing week started off with a visit to the Telstra Dome to see Australia vs Qatar. As everyone knows the result went out our way and we all went awat very happy except maybe for the contingent of Qatari fans that were in attendance. There has much analysis from my fellow bloggers, so I will only add a small analysis of my own. The first half was great with the home team playing free-flowing, attacking football and were duly rewarded with three goals. Second half wasn't as great as the first and it was something to be expected as the jet lag kicked in for our overseas players. Standout players for me for the Socceroos in no particular order were Mc Read more:Reflections
Big week of football 2008-02-03 21:17:44 This week promises to be a big week of football. You may think that taking in the spectacle of Australia vs Qatar on Wednesday night at the Telstra Dome would be enough to make it a big week of football. But no, there is another big football event this week. My new indoor mixed football team, "Max Power" will be making its debut on Thursday night in some grading matches all kitted out in our Barcelona "knock off" away shirts (the blue ones). In fact that night I will be playing three matches as an outdoor five-a-side team I play with will be also playing that night.In truth this Wednesday night's match for the Socceroos vs Qatar is definitely the big football story of the week. Everyone is waiting with baited breath to see how the team will perform in their first match under new coach, Pim
On international duty 2008-01-31 05:30:14 Whilst Kevin Muscat, Rodrigo Vargas and Archie Thompson all are in camp hoping for an international call-up against Qatar next Wednesday night, Melbourne Victory's very own Carlos Hernandez is already on international duty with Costa Rica. Los Ticos took on a coachless Iran in an empty Azadi Stadium (a stadium I would very much like to visit) and by all accounts the match was a rather drab affair finishing 0-0. For match reports click here and here. It is good to hear that Hernandez's choice of playing in Australia hasn't harmed his chances of international selection. Game time in this match and in an upcoming match against Jamaica will keep him match-fit for our upcoming ACL campaign. It is also interesting to note that fellow AFC heavyweights, Iran, are only to gain the services of their
A fevered review 2008-01-29 04:53:45 Nick Hornby and I have a few things in common: we both love football; we both have an appreciation for music; and most obviously we have the both the same first initial. Why the comparison? The reason being I have just finished reading Hornby's Fever Pitch, an autobiographical account of his obsession with Arsenal from his first game until 1992, when the book comes to an end. This book came highly recommended from fellow football fans and I read it not long after another Hornby book, 31 Songs.Fever Pitch is an excellent read and extremely well written (as you would expect from a writer of Hornby's calibre) as Hornby details the growth of his obsession with all things Arsenal and its subsequent impact on his life. The book obviously appeals to most football fans as they can see part of th Read more:review
Fitting finale 2008-01-22 13:18:50 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
Football, Fame and Oblivion 2008-01-14 04:59:45 Its not often that I make my way to the local library, preferring to buy books for future reference and reading. However, recently the local library was paid a visit and I came away with a number of books*, one of them being Best and Edwards: Football
, Fame and Oblivion
by Gordon Burn (Faber and Faber, 2006). Best and Edwards tells the story of two of the greatest talents to ever pull on a Manchester United jersey, George Best and Duncan Edwards and how both their careers ended in dramatic fashion. Edwards, who died in the Munich air disaster of 1958 and Best, who quit United at the age of 27 and then proceeded to drink himself into oblivion for the next 30 years.Edwards, who died at the age of 21, was considered by many to be the greatest talent going around. It is said that if he hadn't
All to no avail 2008-01-12 16:11:23 Last night both myself and my fellow supporters finally got to see the Melbourne Victory play football the way we had wanted them to play all season. Well, expect for me couple of people who were sitting to my front and rear who find reason to criticise at every opportunity. Goals to Hernandez, Ward and Patafta saw the Victory record a 3-0 win over the Wellington Phoenix. For the first time since mid-October the Victory theme song rang out around the Telstra Dome. The win kept us in finals contention for at least another 24 hours until unfortunately the Jets beat the Mariners and ended our chances.Last night I also got my wish from last week in seeing both Ward and Hernandez start on the pitch together, although Carlos was playing in a much more forward role due to the absences of Allsopp
A speck of blue in a sea of orange 2008-01-08 00:26:21 One should never allow an opposition supporter choose wear you sit at an away game. Last Saturday night was my second away trip to Brisbane to see the Victory take on the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium. After days of rain, which I enjoyed on Stradbroke Island, Brisbane was at its balmy best for the match. I have a few friends up north who support the Roar and attend these away games with these people. Therefore I was always going to be sitting amongst opposition supporters. However, this time I was deep in enemy territory sitting in the Northern Stand barely fifty metres from "The Den". As I made my way to our seats I was subjected to many a good natured jibe from the Roar fans.The first half was a fairly tense affair and a pretty ordinary performance from the Victory as the Roar basic
Three get Socceroos call-up 2008-01-01 23:59:17 Today, new Socceroos head coach Pim Verbeek picked 22 players from the A-League for a training camp to be held in Sydney next week. While not a final squad for the Qatar match, it makes for interesting reading. Three
Victory players got the call up, being Muscat, Thompson and Vargas who has been rewarded for his consistency over his two seasons in the league. Disappointment must have been felt by Michael Theoklitos, who along with Covic have been the outstanding keepers of the season in the A-League.To be honest I am a little surprised at some of the selections, with names such as Corica, Durante, Coyne, Talay, Matt Thompson and Pondeljak springing to mind. It is also worth noting that Graham Arnold has also called up fifteen players from the Olyroos squad for a camp as well. Players such
Victory makes for easy listening 2007-12-31 21:24:45 Being not able to get myself in front of a TV due to New Year's Eve commitments I had to resort to listening to old friends, Zappers and Trimmers on SEN for my Victory
versus Mariners football coverage. Listening to the game makes
any objective comments about the game quite difficult as the boys from SEN aren't what you would call impartial.From what I heard it sounded like we finally put in a performance that is worth talking about and the 5-2 scoreline surely points to that. The result certainly put me in a good mood for the remainder of the night about until we had to try find a way home from the CBD. Nick Ward made his full debut for the squad and by all accounts his hard running in the midfield had a significant impact. Good performances were also put in by regular performers, Thompso
You write fiction 2007-12-29 23:54:57 That's the quote attributed to Joseph Blatter that appears on the back of Foul! by Andrew Jennings (Harper Collins, 2007), probably one of the most controversial books about football every written. Jennings exposes a culture of endemic corruption that runs throughout all facets of the largest sporting body in the world, FIFA. He is particularly scathing on his main targets, Sepp Blatter and Jack Warner. Other continental federations also rate a mention and Asia's very own Mohamed Bin Hammam cops a spray.Both Hamish and The Football Tragic have posted excellent reviews on this book, which are probably much better than anything I can hope to write and I would be repeating much of what they have to say. I have probably the benefit of reading a slightly later edition which now includes the Ja
Shameless plug 2007-12-27 20:32:23 Back in my not too distant past I was once told by a distinguished lady told that I had a good voice for radio. Now you can be the judge of that as I was kindly asked by Eamonn of Football In The Capital to make a guest appearance for his Christmas special on his Nearpost Radio Show. The show is going to air on Christmas Day at 6:30pm on 2XX 98.3fm. For all those outside the Canberra area, the show will be available shortly after the show as a podcast at Football In the Capital. Not only do you get hear my dulcet tones, but also the people behind Football Down Under & Beyond, The Football Tragic, MVFC Blog, The Round Ball Analyst and Totally Football. Hopefully it makes for interesting listening.I will now take this opportunity to wish all my readers (there's about five or six of you o Read more:Shameless
Tough ACL draw 2007-12-17 16:08:09 The draw for the Asian Champions League has just taken place at AFC headquarters. Melbourne Victory has been drawn in Group G alongside Chonburi FC of Thailand, Gamba Osaka of Japan and Chunnam Dragons of South Korea. This group is extremely tough and it will be a challenge for the team to get out of the group stages, remembering that only the top team qualifies for the next plus our current form isn't providing fans with much hope.I am looking forward to the Champions League matches as it will be a great opportunity for football fans to witness a different style of football than they normally see week in week out. I am hoping both the Japanese and Korean teams have a healthy travelling contingent as they are reknown for the great support. Lets see how they match the support of the Melbour Read more:Tough
A different kind of review 2007-12-09 06:39:49 This week's match review
is going to be a little different
as I was unable to attend my first ever Melbourne Victory home game due to clash between the game and the birthday festivities of my lovely, football-suffering girlfriend, Caroline. However I managed to keep in touch with what was going on only a few kilometres away through regular messages from fellow bloggers, Cecilia and Peter, for which I am extremely grateful. So here are the messages in chronological order that I received during the game illustrating their thoughts on the game that I thought I would share with you all and as my token effort of a review.7:04pmKaz AND Hernandez starting.7:12pmMuscat gives away a free outside the box. Wasted as it hits an MV for a corner. Nothing comes from it really. Shit! Replay shows MV playe
A signing to ward off the doomsayers 2007-12-05 03:41:44 After a weekend of bad news, Melbourne Victory have provided us with some news that they completely haven't lost the plot. Today, they signed Olyroo Nick Ward on what is essentially a six month deal that will see him play a part in the remainder of the season and our Asian Champions League campaign. Is this the signing
that will turn our season around? Hopefully it is, although it probably may mean that one of my favourite players, Kaz Patafta may get pushed further into the background. Or am I expecting too much from such a young player. Merrick doesn't seem to have the greatest record with young, attacking players and this is my only concern regarding this signing. The attacking midfield position is one that hasn't really been covered this season and may require a change of system from t
Time to sharpen the knives 2007-12-02 05:50:28 That would have to be one of most insipid and uninspiring matches that I have ever seen the Melbourne Victory play. Purely and simply it was a disgrace and it now looks like this blog will be taking a break in February before our participation in the Asian Champions League. Don't get me started on that - on tonight's performance we will be sitting on the bottom of our group with zero points.In the days before the game, I thought we would quite possibly turn our season around with a good win over the bottom placed Perth. But in the car on the way to watch the game I should have realised that it wasn't going to be our night and turned the car around and headed back home and locked myself in a dark room for the following two hours. The reason for this change of heart was that I heard on the r
Victory In Melbourne now on Flickr 2007-12-01 18:01:22 I am one who is prone to take photos whilst at a football game. Some are of the play and most are of the crowd. Therefore I have now set up a dedicated Flickr
page for all my football related photos. To kick it off I have taken a couple of photos of the new stadium for the MelbourneVictory
under construction. There's not much to see at the moment though. I hope to make a photographic study of the construction of the building in progress. That's the architect in me coming out.For all those that are already users of Flickr I have also created a Victory In Melbourne group for you to submit all your Victory photos too as well.Enjoy
One out two ain't half bad 2007-11-24 21:36:43 Before last night's game I was hoping it was going to be a good night. Three points for the Victory and a Labor win in the federal election. As it turned out I only one out of two with the Victory taking only a point in 1-1 draw with Wellington Phoenix. But as a bonus there was the distinct possibility that Little Johnny would also lose his seat. I guess it made up for a rather disappointing night at the football.Three weeks ago when we went a man down against the Mariners we played some out of our best football of the season. But last night's performance was terrible, some might say abysmal. The contrast between the two games was immense. Whereas against the Mariners we played all our football through Hernandez and Vasilevski, last night at home we decided that our best possibility would
Massive overreaction 2007-11-23 18:06:15 Late Thursday afternoon the Victory administration issued a press release titled "Telstra Dome implements supporter changes" to inform all viewers of the website and possible those that receive the weekly newsletter (for some reason I haven't received an email newsletter for some time) of the proposed seating changes for the remainder of the season. Its opening paragraph states that: "Telstra Dome management with the support of Football Federation Australia and Melbourne Victory have agreed to implement some seating and entrance adjustments at future Hyundai A-League matches due to recent issues relating to crowd behaviour." Basically changes involve moving the visiting supporters area to behind the goals with these supporters who purchase tickets from the ‘visiting team’ allocation
Two favourites combine 2007-11-21 05:47:30 Two of my favourite players at the moment are Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme. Today they combine
d for a goal in Argentina's World Cup qualifying match against Colombia. Unfortunately it was to no avail as the previously undefeated Argentinians went down 2-1 in Bogota. Messi does most of the work but Riquelme sets him on his way. Also enjoy the commentary of the obviously Argentinian commentator as he constantly repeats "me gusta" or " I like" as Messi weaves his magic yet again.
Off to Beijing 2007-11-21 05:35:56 Congratulations to the Olyroos for making it through to the 2008 Beijing
Olympics after securing the necessary point to progress with a 1-1 draw against North Korea in Pyongyang. I can't make much comment on the game as I only saw the last half of the match after rushing to regular football watching haunt, The Charles Dickens Tavern, after I had finished work. Up until then I had been relying on updates from the Melbourne Victory forum and the FourFourTwo website to keep me informed. And in those early stages it didn't look to good as the Olyroos conceded an early goal and there was a number of close calls.From what I saw of the second it again looked fairly scrappy from the Olyroos as the North Koreans looked to do everything to kill the game off and waste time. Even the equaliser was scr
One point away from an Olympic berth 2007-11-17 23:45:46 Watched the Olyroos for the second time in their bid for an Olympic
berth. Had watched them once before but it was good to see them on a normal sized screen and with English speaking commentators (not that I have anything against the Saudi commentators I am sure they are very good job I just couldn't understand a word they were saying. Kudos must also be given to the SBS for showing this match although would have liked it better without the delay. This brings me to the point
that if they could show this game why couldn't show the other home games. Everyone's favourite football analyst, Craig Foster made some comment at the end of the game that we should be packing the stadiums for Olympic qualifiers. Maybe a bit more media exposure would help and sharing the games around the country a bit
Lack of motivation and Pele reviewed 2008-03-09 21:05:56 There has been a severe lack of motivation
lately on my part to write anything of substance down in recent times. This is probably due to a combination of work pressures and social and sporting commitments. Although to be fair I still have been writing about football, just not on these pages. And who would have thought that after the end of the A-League season that I would be watching more football than during it. I have been in attendance at all of my newly adopted team, Richmond's first four games in the VPL which included on away trip to Fawkner. Plus doing some match reports on other games means that on most weekends I will be watching at least two games of football.I have also been doing a fair bit of reading, most of it not necessarily football related but I am halfway through Austra
Word of the day: Impressive 2008-03-25 06:06:35 impressive adj. capable of impressing, esp. by size, magnificence, etc.; awe-inspiring; commandingI made my way down to Bob Jane Stadium yesterday to take in the clash between South Melbourne and the AIS and put it simply I was impressed. Impressed by the AIS and their quality of their play. Impressed by a team that wasn't intimidated by a much physically stronger and more experienced team and even took it up to their opponents. For the record the AIS team picked up a 2-0 victory, which put them in second place on the VPL table only a point behind leaders Oakleigh and with a game in hand.Players that impressed me were Jason Naidovski, scorer of both goals and leading scorer in the VPL with 8 goals to his name; Matthew Theodore, who controlled the AIS midfield and almost got on the score s Read more:Impressive
Schwarzer takes away Chinese chance of Kumming glory 2008-03-26 23:25:28 The roar that erupted in the Charles Dickens Tavern when Mark Schwarzer made his penalty save was as loud as any I have heard within its walls. I wanted to yell out: "That one's for Tibet!" but I kept my mouth shut. I did say to the two guys in front of me on the noise generated: "Its like we've scored." Their response: "Its even better than that!" And I think that most people in the extremely crowded pub agreed. A pub so crowded that my late arriving girlfriend almost didn't make it inside. Many people obviously finishing their working day early, as I had done, to take in the game. I would have to agree with The Football Tragic that we were pretty luck to get away with a point in Kumming. It was clear early on that the Chinese
had set out to frustrate a clearly undermanned Australian outf Read more:chance
, glory
Gamba Osaka exposed 2008-04-06 20:48:06 With the upcoming crucial games against Gamba Osaka
for Melbourne Victory in the Asian Champions League I decided to find out more about our opposition. So thanks to Mike Tuckerman, an Australian who lives in Japan and a mad Shimizu S-Pulse fan, who has provided some insight into Gamba Osaka. His blog is also worth checking out if you are a fan of the J-League as well.1. How would you describe Gamba Osaka's style of play? What are their strengths and weaknesses? For the past few years Gamba have been renowned as one of the most attacking sides in Japanese football. Certainly Akira Nishino is a coach who prefers free-flowing, attractive football and he has fielded a 4-3-3 formation for Gamba's last couple of league games. The problem for the Osakans is confidence. That attacking style hasn' Read more:exposed
In praise of the ACL 2008-04-09 23:04:14 While it was disappointing to go down to Gamba Osaka in the dying minutes of what had been a pulsating match, the reality is that on the night the better team probably won. Although Gamba Osaka is making a habit of scoring in the penultimate minutes of matches having done so in all of their ACL games so far this campaign. But what grabbed my attention, and it may be stating the obvious, was that ACL football is so much better than A-League football. It was my first ACL game in the flesh as I had missed the opening game against Chunnam Dragons due to work commitments. The style of play is better, the technical ability of teams comes to the fore, and of course the support is better.Starting with the style of play. It was of much slower pace and thus more controlled than A-League, where teams
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