Unstoppable at Etihad! Victory are on fire at home, but Gold Coast United will provide a stern test
Melbourne Victory v Gold Coast United
Saturday 6th November 7:00pm
Unstoppable at Etihad! Victory are on fire at home, but Gold Coast United will provide a stern test. It-s set to be another cracker. Be a part of it!
While life at AAMI Park hasn-t been amazing for Victory so far, it-s a different story when Ernie Merrick-s boys take to the field at Etihad Stadium. As it has so many times in the past, their more familiar stomping ground is proving to be an extra man for Victory.
After thrashing Sydney FC 3-0 in their first appearance there this season, they went onto beat Adelaide United with a stunning display. There was so much to admire about their 10th straight win over The Reds too.
Firstly, the level of passionate and incredibly animated support coming from their North and South Terrace Boys was awe-inspiring. There is no doubting that it spurred the team on to respond so positively to an early deficit. To come back and win after falling behind to the ladder leaders showed just how much team-spirit there is at Victory.
That, combined with the continued outstanding form of Carlos Hernandez and, notably, Robbie Kruse will give supporters plenty to be optimistic about. After scoring in his previous four appearances, Kruse will equal the Hyundai A-League record for netting in most consecutive matches if he scores against United. The current record of scoring in five consecutive games is held by Joel Griffiths (for Newcastle Jets) and Shane Smeltz (for Gold Coast).
However, while the come-from-behind win continued Melbourne-s astonishing dominance over Adelaide and proved that last year-s Grand Finalists have the wherewithal to go on and win silverware this season, they must turn such excellent one-off performances into consistent form.
It-s all very well putting in big-game displays against the likes of Sydney and Adelaide, but it will ultimately mean little unless they can do it week in, week out. Simply, it-s time to go on a run.
With another huge crowd behind them at Etihad on Saturday, displaying the kind of support that makes the team in blue the envy of the rest of the country, there is every chance Victory can make it two wins from two, and three from four. However, the team they are up against have been party poopers on more than one occasion in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
If recent home results have left Victory fans believing it will just be a case of turning up to Etihad and picking up another three points this weekend, they should think again. Gold Coast United are proving themselves to be the toughest nuts to crack in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season.
Boasting a fantastic defence and with an unbeaten away record, United are a point above Victory in the ladder, with two games in hand on them. They have also conceded half the goals that Melbourne have shipped. Last weekend, Miron Bleiberg-s well-drilled side made it eight games unbeaten by grinding their way to a win at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Dino Djulbic-s 84th minute goal secured the points when the game looked to be heading for a draw. Sitting in fourth spot on the ladder, United are nicely-placed to mount an attack on the top places, and, the way they are playing at the moment, they won-t be easily daunted by a trip to Etihad, so it-s up to Melbourne fans to turn up the heat and make it an intense atmosphere.
Victory haven-t tasted defeat at Etihad Stadium in ten league games, but Gold Coast United will be looking to continue their own unbeaten away record in the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season. Let-s make it another bumper crowd on Saturday as two teams with little to choose between them on the ladder look to ruin each other-s runs.
Something-s got to give and one thing is certain – this one won-t be for the faint hearted. It-s sure to be another high-quality 90 minutes jam-packed with action, so secure your ticket today and watch the drama unfold live!
