Melbourne Victory’s Marco Rojas has shared an update on his fitness after returning from a period of rehabilitation in New Zealand.
Rojas has been out of action since Victory’s 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park in February, where he suffered a fractured fibula.
Melbourne Victory’s, Matthew Bozinovski, has been called up to North Macedonia’s Under-21 squad for back-to-back friendly matches in Europe.
The defender has made six starts for Victory’s NPL 3 Victoria side this season and will miss a set of upcoming games in a bid to embark on an international career.
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.
Victory Chairman, Anthony Di Pietro, said Tony will bring extensive coaching experience and a record of success to Melbourne Victory.
“I am excited to announce Tony’s appointment as Head Coach of Melbourne Victory,” Di Pietro said.
“He is a proven Head Coach who is strong and clear in his approach and we are confident that he is the right man to take our football program forward.
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Melbourne Victory Head Coach Grant Brebner is expecting a reaction from his players in Wednesday night’s A-League encounter with Western Sydney Wanderers at Bankwest Stadium.
Following Saturday’s 5-2 defeat in Brisbane, Brebner said he and the squad held a number of ‘honest conversations’ with the intention of turning things around.
Victory s bid for a positive result in New South Wales is enhanced by the inclusion of Rudy Gestede, who missed the last three games through injury.
Facing the facts
“We’ve been able to have some honest conversations about where I see this group and where I see they let us down,” Brebner said.
Summary
Victory took a 3-0 lead at half-time at Latrobe City Stadium in Morwell thanks to goals from Melina Ayres, Claudia Bunge and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
The Jets fought back as Tara Andrews and Rhianna Pollicina struck, but Ayres sealed Victory s second straight win.
Victory created the first real chance of the game in the 10th minute.
Catherine Zimmerman forced a low save from Jets goalkeeper Nicole Simonsen after a one-two with Ayres.
Victory opened the scoring three minutes later through Ayres second goal of the season.
A clearance fell to Amy Jackson outside the area and the midfielder s attempt found Ayres, who finished superbly into the corner from inside the box.