Category: A-League Men

1-0 wins, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Smash and Grab

December 26, 2022

Don’t look now, but Western United might be back on their whole ‘winning 1-0 thing’. You know, that grind-it-out style of football that was never pretty, but that helped deliver them an A-League Men championship last season. Certainly, their 1-0 Boxing Day win over Melbourne Victory bore all the hallmarks of their form from a … More 1-0 wins, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Smash and Grab

Western United and Melbourne Victory play a football match, which should feel as momentous as it does

December 26, 2022

And so, Melbourne Victory played a football match. Not that shocking, really, given that we’re at round nine of the 2022-23 A-League Men season and they’re one of the clubs that compete in it. But given what has transpired over the past week, from the moment that a mass of its supporters spilled over the … More Western United and Melbourne Victory play a football match, which should feel as momentous as it does

Popovic hoping to restore smiles after pitch invaders ‘hurt football, hurt Melbourne Victory, and hurt our code’

December 24, 2022

Generally in football clubs confronted by a period of upheaval, the line is that they’re blocking out the outside noise and only focusing on themselves, especially if the crisis doesn’t originate in the football department. But after the week that Melbourne Victory has had, A-League Men coach Tony Popovic admits that it’s been impossible to … More Popovic hoping to restore smiles after pitch invaders ‘hurt football, hurt Melbourne Victory, and hurt our code’

City and Victory prepare for a Christmas Derby dripping in emotion, just not the kind anyone had anticipated

December 16, 2022

By Joey Lynch Derbies, the prevailing wisdom goes, are about more than just a football match. They’re supposed to be about pride, belonging, and the desire to represent your tribe against that most contemptible of foes: a familiar one. Eleven players on the field take on the added responsibility of not just needing to win … More City and Victory prepare for a Christmas Derby dripping in emotion, just not the kind anyone had anticipated

“I understand the fans and agree” – Popovic backs fan anger over A-Leagues grand final controversy

December 16, 2022

By Joey Lynch Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic has backed supporter anger over the A-Leagues’ decision to stage its next three grand finals in Sydney, saying that he “understands” plans to walk out of this weekend’s Melbourne Derby in protest of the decision and that he hopes the move can be reversed.  Controversy and fan … More “I understand the fans and agree” – Popovic backs fan anger over A-Leagues grand final controversy

City to ease Socceroos back into action as ALM resumes, shift pressure to Sydney FC

December 9, 2022

Rado Vidosic says Melbourne City will take a cautious approach toward integrating their three Socceroos back into their squad as the A-League Men season resumes. The interim coach also believes the pressure is on Sydney FC to get a result out of the two side’s meeting on Saturday evening.  City had three representatives in coach … More City to ease Socceroos back into action as ALM resumes, shift pressure to Sydney FC

Aloisi, Popovic would love to coach Socceroos, but acknowledge Arnold’s right of first refusal

December 9, 2022

Socceroo legend John Aloisi believes the nominally vacant national team post should be Graham Arnold’s if he wants it, but both he and Tony Popovic admit they would embrace a chance to take on the role if it one day becomes available. Though his organisation has yet to complete its review of the tournament, Football … More Aloisi, Popovic would love to coach Socceroos, but acknowledge Arnold’s right of first refusal

ALM players, league can take inspiration from Socceroos – Popovic

December 9, 2022

Melbourne Victory boss Tony Popovic hopes that the exploits of the A-League Men (ALM) contingent in the Socceroos’ World Cup squad will serve as the catalyst for a new cohort of players – and the league itself – to go to the next level.  The Socceroos stunned observers both at home and abroad by reaching … More ALM players, league can take inspiration from Socceroos – Popovic

Popovic looking for the right midfield fit against Brisbane Roar

October 28, 2022

Melbourne Victory boss Tony Popovic says his side has options to replace the suspended Josh Brillante against Brisbane Roar but that they won’t be able to fully replicate what their captain provides in the midfield.  Capping off a nightmarish 15-minute stretch that had already his side fall into a two-goal deficit against their bitter rivals, … More Popovic looking for the right midfield fit against Brisbane Roar

Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate: Victory and City ready to light the fuse on another Melbourne Derby

October 21, 2022

There’s nothing like a derby. The familiarity between two sporting foes breeding the best form of contempt, a derby contest will reliably elicit emotions, passion, joy, and despair like no other contest.  And with the Melbourne Derby on track to be one of the biggest fixtures since the COVID-19 pandemic, Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic … More Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate: Victory and City ready to light the fuse on another Melbourne Derby