Matthew Comito 1619436243,1619436242
Sydney FC forward Bobô says an understrength Melbourne Victory outfit are not to be underestimated ahead of Tuesday night s Big Blue at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
14 points and seven positions on the A-League table separate the two sides heading into the fixture kicking off at 7.35pm AEST on Tuesday, April 27. As Bobô s Sky Blues have continued to enhance their credentials as a Premiership contender, Victory have scrapped for the points needed to clamber away from the foot of the table in what has been a turgid A-League campaign to date by the club s high standards.
Victory were humiliated in Matchweek 17 by a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Melbourne City, but responded positively in the fallout of the dismal defeat. Grant Brebner was removed from his role as Head Coach and replaced by interim Steve Kean, and Tony Popovic was announced as the man to lead the club forward in 2021/22.
Samuel Green 1619308539,1619344849
A revitalised Melbourne Victory will aim to put a dent in Sydney FC s bid to defend the A-League Premiers Plate in Tuesday night s Big Blue in Kogarah.
The Sky Blues have the chance to move within touching distance of the top of the ladder as Steve Corica s side seek an unprecedented fifth Premiership but struggling Victory showed signs of turning the corner during Saturday s breathless 5-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
After being served up a 7-0 hammering by crosstown rivals Melbourne City two weeks ago, the Navy Blue clinched their fourth win in 17 games this season following the departure of former head coach Grant Brebner, a result that lifted them off the foot of the table.
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A horror defensive lapse has stalled Melbourne City s A-League push as Macarthur came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at Campbelltown Stadium.
The ladder leaders - fresh off a 7-0 win that ultimately cost Melbourne Victory coach Grant Brebner his job - found goals much harder to come by in Sydney s west and then paid dearly for some sloppy marking up.
Up 1-0 and seemingly with the game under control, a Scott Jamieson throw-in near the Bulls goal precipitated a series of events in the 77th minute the visitors will quickly want to forget.
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Though their ten-man opposition undoubtedly left something to be desired, City was utterly rampant on their way to a 7-0 thrashing of cross-town foes; the 13-0 margin across to the side’s meeting’s in 2021 the largest margin over two games in Australian national league history.
Last Saturday s win equalled the highest ever winning margin in A-League history, moved them to outright top of the A-League table, swelled their goal difference to +20 - 13 clear of next best Central Coast and Sydney FC - and, ultimately, led to Grant Brebner’s axing and replacement, for 2021-22, with Tony Popovic.
A-League Semi Final 2 - Sydney v Perth
Soccer by 22nd Apr 2021 2:09 PM Melbourne Victory has pounced on championship winner Tony Popovic and signed him as coach for the next three seasons. Popovic replaces Grant Brebner, who was sacked last weekend after Victory s 7-0 loss to Melbourne City. The 47-year-old has an impressive coaching record with two A-League Premiership titles, the first one in 2012/13 with the Western Sydney Wanderers, and again in 2018/19 with Perth Glory. Popovic is also the only coach in A-League history to win the AFC Champions League having led the Wanderers to the prestigious title in their first season in the competition.