Melbourne Victory head coach Kevin Muscat says a tough pre-season training camp has been “exceptional” ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Brisbane Roar on the Gold Coast.
Victory spent six nights in Coffs Harbour before travelling to the Gold Coast, where Muscat’s men will face Brisbane at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport on Wednesday at 7.00pm AEST.
“We’ve challenged the players not only physically but mentally as well and the outcomes we’ve had so far have been nothing short of exceptional,” Muscat said on Tuesday.
“The way the players have conducted themselves and applied themselves has been outstanding and it’s just proven how valuable this time away is for the group.
“We’ve enjoyed some warmer weather as well, we’ve been able to get the boys on the park a couple of times a day and we’re finishing off with a game, so we’re looking forward to that.”
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Muscat said while gruelling double sessions have been the norm, Wednesday’s pre-season game is a fitting end to the camp.
“At the end of all this hard work it’s nice to be rewarded with the opportunity to go out and have a game of football,” he said.
“We’re still in preparation mode but we’ve pushed the players to the limit physically and they’ll go into the game slightly fatigued, but that’s OK.”
Muscat was full of praise for youth team players George Howard and Kieran Dover, who have been with the senior squad for the duration of the camp and are expected to feature against Brisbane.
“Everyone will get an opportunity tomorrow night,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to having a look at George Howard.
“He’s earned that opportunity because he’s trained unbelievably well over these eight days and all of pre-season.Â
“It’s an opportunity for us as a group and for him to find out what he can do.Â
“I’ve got the utmost confidence he’ll perform very well and young Kieran Dover’s in the same bracket.Â
“For the rest of the group, it’s another opportunity to get some minutes under their belts, improve in certain areas that we’ve worked hard on over the past eight days and enjoy the game.”
