Melbourne Victory’s stalwart, Kevin Muscat, has played his last game for Victory on Australian soil after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Gamba Osaka in the Group E Asian Champions League clash.
Melbourne Victory-s stalwart, Kevin Muscat, has played his last game for Victory on Australian soil after Wednesday-s 1-1 draw with Gamba Osaka in the Group E Asian Champions League clash.
Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley presented Muscat a plate at the end of the match to recognise his contributions to Australian Football.
“It-s nice. The appreciation I-ve got for them. I-ve been here six years and I feel I-ve endeared myself to the fans here. These fans have been the best since day one and long may it continue,” said Muscat who was farewelled in front of 7, 437 fans.
Muscat returned to Melbourne in 2005 after spending nine years playing for Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Rangers and Millwall.
Under Muscat-s leadership, Melbourne Victory was successful in winning the 2006/07 and 2008/09 premiership and championship. He also claimed three victory medals as the club-s best player.
“You have to put in and I think that-s why his leadership qualities are so good and have been so good for our club. You want to win for him, you see the efforts he puts in and you want to replicate that,” said teammate Archie Thompson.
“When the crunch is there he steps up and that-s why he is such a big player for us. He-s all about the team and will be sorely missed. He brings the team together and it-s hard to find those sort of players.”
The six seasons he spent at Melbourne was the longest he had at one club but it will not be the end as he will remain at Victory as the Assistant Coach.
Muscat is also one of Australia-s most decorated footballers with 51 international caps under his name. He made his debut on September 1994 against Kuwait and has captained the Socceroos five times. His final match for the Socceroos was on August 2008 and he captained the side in an Asian Cup qualifier match against Kuwait.
Muscat who announced his retirement earlier this year will take the field for the last time on May 11 in a must win encounter against Jeju United in Korea to give Melbourne Victory a chance to progress to the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League.
Click here to view images from Muscat’s last match on Australian soil
