‘There’s such a winning culture at this club’
One of the long-term benefits of achieving sustained success in football is the culture those repeat titles foster within the four walls of a club.
It’s a byproduct of winning which can be leant on in times of crisis to find a way out of the gloom – and it’s precisely what Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory have leant on in recent times.
Together, the two teams have collected 16 trophies in Isuzu UTE A-League history (Victory seven, Sydney FC nine) – the same amount all ten other teams combined have accrued in the competition’s history.
The Sky Blues won their second game in succession over league-leading Macarthur FC on Saturday night, as a slow start to the season fades further into the past.
“It’s a big result for us,” said goalscorer Max Burgess post-match. “We had a lot of senior boys out today and young boys came in, a few made their debuts and everyone stood up. It shows the depth of our squad, and it’s a big result for us.
“It’s fun playing with this squad. There’s a lot of ball players, when this team gets in a mood it’s great to be part of. I’m finding my rhythm, getting my fitness back, it’s been a good day.
“I don’t think there was much concern (about our start) internally.
There’s such a winning culture at this club, and it was only four games into the season.
“As I said just before, the depth was tested today and everyone stood up.”
Victory follow suit: ‘(it’s) standards, every single day’
Sydney’s shock 3-0 win over Macarthur FC sent Steve Corica’s side into the top six – and opened the door for Melbourne Victory to take top spot off the Bulls.
It was a chance Sydney’s fellow Isuzu UTE A-League heavyweights seized with both hands, beating Western United 3-1 at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Sydney’s lull lasted four games – but Victory’s lasted two seasons. The team with three premierships and four championships on the board finished second last in 2019/20, before finishing at the foot of the table last season for the first time in league history.
A sniff of early optimism at the club under new head coach Tony Popovic saw the crowds return in numbers, along with the positive atmosphere around the club which was sorely missed for two years.
“(It’s) very different, very different,” said Victory forward Ben Folami, who has looked a new player under Popovic this season. “It’s amazing the way we’ve managed to turn things around with a completely new set of players, new coaching staff.
“But the way things have gone, we want to just continue, so let’s hope we continue with it.
“I’m very grateful to all the coaching staff for giving me the chance, having the belief in me. I hope to just keep repaying their faith.
“I think I can definitely say that (Popovic has taken me under his wing). The main thing he’s wanted to work on with me is getting into the box more, getting into more goalscoring positions.”
Folami, one of the few remaining members of last season’s Victory squad, says Popovic’s influence has been noticed in one key area ever since his arrival: “Standards, every single day, the standard always has to be as high as possible.
“There’s no slacking, ever. It’s just so good to have that sort of environment at a club as big as Melbourne Victory, we deserve that kind of environment.”
Is fit-again Prijović the key to United’s long-term success?
They’ve proven they’re assured in defence – but thus far an impressive Western United outfit has lacked the cutting edge going forward necessary to maintain a season-long title tilt.
Step forward Aleksandar Priković, the domineering striker whose return to fitness could add a sorely-needed new dimension to his side’s attack.
Getting up to speed with the rigours of the Isuzu UTE A-League has not been a quick process for Prijović, but after scoring his maiden league goal in his side’s 3-1 loss to Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, the Serbian striker believes he’s put his injury woes behind him – and it’s welcome news for head coach John Aloisi considering United’s start to the season.
“Hopefully next game (I can make my first start),” Prijović said post-match.
“I had a hamstring injury, I worked hard to get back faster. I trained all week with the team, so now we will see – it’s the coaches decision but I feel I can contribute and give the team something.”
The green and black are third on the table after six rounds. They’ve won four games and lost two – both to Victory in Rounds 1 and 6 – scoring five goals, conceding just four and notching four clean sheets. The defence was resolute along a four-game run of 1-0 wins – but Aloisi’s side is yet to score more than one goal in a game this season.
One goal is all you need to win a game of football – but expecting that to be enough all season long is an unsustainable approach. Sometimes the defence will be breached, as it was on Saturday night, in which case a fully-fit Prijović could prove his worth in the coming weeks.
