VICTORY AND ADELAIDE FACE MUST-WIN A-LEAGUE CLASH
Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles believes his side will be “just as desperate” as Adelaide United in their crucial A-League clash on Saturday night. Both teams are aiming to stay in contention for the premiership, sitting nine points behind leaders Auckland FC, who are expected to defeat Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
A win for Auckland would increase their lead to 12 points ahead of either Victory or Adelaide, leaving little room for error in the race for the top spots. A loss for either side would also dent their hopes of finishing second, a position that could secure a place in next season’s AFC Champions League Elite competition. Auckland, due to being based in New Zealand, is ineligible for the tournament, making second place even more critical for the teams trailing them.
Diles emphasized the importance of the match, acknowledging that every game is vital as the season approaches its final stages. “We can only control what we do and we know it’s a huge game,” Diles said. “There’s not a long way to go now and every game is so important. We’re just as desperate (as Adelaide). It’s just as big for us, if not bigger, because now we’re at home. It’s a massive game for both teams.”
While Melbourne Victory has had inconsistent form recently, Adelaide United’s form has been particularly concerning. The Reds have won just one of their last eight games, dropping to sixth on the table. Their defensive struggles have been evident, with 15 goals conceded in their past five matches, including a 5-4 loss to Macarthur FC in their previous outing.
Adelaide coach Carl Veart acknowledged the team’s errors, stating that the players are being “punished” for their mistakes. “I want my team to play (attacking football), so I have to take the blame for those mistakes,” Veart explained. “It’s about picking those moments, and hopefully, we limit those mistakes that we made in the last game. It’s important to have the belief and when we play well, I think we’re one of the best footballing teams in the league.”
Veart added that the team’s focus and concentration are key to improving their results. “We’ve pretty much been our worst enemy, and it’s just about making sure our focus is good and that concentration is good for the whole game.”
Adelaide will also see the return of right-back Dylan Pierias to the starting lineup, replacing young Harry Crawford, who has filled in admirably in Pierias’s absence. Veart believes Pierias’s experience will be valuable for the team in this high-stakes clash. “Harry came in and did a great job, but having someone a little bit more experience playing that role suits us,” he said.
With both teams fighting to stay in the top six and retain their hopes for the AFC Champions League, the “Original Rivalry” clash promises to be a thrilling encounter with significant implications for the rest of the season.
