Recent stumbles from the Newcastle Jets and Auckland FC have renewed Melbourne Victory’s hopes of winning the A-League premiership.
The top-of-the table Jets were beaten 3-2 by Macarthur FC on Thursday night, while second-placed Auckland has only secured one point from its past two games.
Should Victory beat Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Sunday, the Melbourne club will move to within two points of Auckland and five points of the Jets.
And with two of Victory’s final three games of the regular season against the teams currently occupying first and second spots on the ladder, the Arthur Diles-coached outfit know the importance of securing three points this weekend in the race for the Premier’s Plate.
“Nothing’s out of the question for us,” Diles said.
“Everything’s in our hands still. We believe that we work really hard every day for that.
“We’re in a good position.”
However, Diles said it wasn’t “good” enough.
“We’re still not where we want to be,” he said.
“We’re still not where we set out to be, so we’re still hungry, we’re motivated, we’re passionate about what we want to do and how we want to finish this season.
“Sunday is another game to give us an opportunity to get closer to where we want to be.”
Diles’ men are on a seven-game unbeaten run and are chasing a third successive win on Sunday, with Victory’s coach not concerned about the possibility that not playing last weekend due to the FIFA international window might have quelled his team’s momentum.
“You always want to keep going, but also it’s a good opportunity to put some content and work in during that (break). That’s something we did,” he said.
“It’s definitely not an excuse for us. If anything, I’d like to think we used that opportunity to make us bigger and stronger.”
One Victory player who has played in the past week is Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay, who came off the bench at the start of the second half in Australia’s 5-1 win over Curacao in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
“If called upon (on Sunday), he’s right to start,” Diles said of Velupillay.
“It was good to see him get some minutes (for the Socceroos). All minutes for players are vital. He’s in a great mood and he’s in a great place.”
Also available for selection is Victory midfielder Louis D’Arrigo, who hasn’t played since injuring his foot in his team’s 3-2 away win over the Phoenix on February 6.
“It has been a long time coming,” an eager D’Arrigo said.
“I felt like I was in a really good part of the season, and unlucky to get the injury. All I’ve been thinking and all I’ve been wanting is the weekend to come, so I can’t wait.”
