Victory unchanged for Derby

In the men’s game, Victory have named an unchanged extended squad for tomorrow night’s Melbourne Derby, with Louis D’Arrigo still the only player listed unavailable. Melbourne City have added two international recruits who missed the opening-round defeat in Auckland. Danish playmaker Emiliano Marcondes returns from an ankle injury, while Costa Rican defender Julio Cascante has been promoted after extra fitness work. Both are in contention for their competitive City debuts. City still list Matheus Rossetto, Ben Mazzeo, Alessandro Lopane and Ryan Kalms as unavailable. That gives the visitors fresh options in midfield and central defence, while Victory must find their response from the same listed group that travelled to Wellington.

In the Women’s game, Nicki Flannery is back in Victory’s extended squad for the trip to Wellington. Jeff Hopkins says Claudia Bunge’s second-half exit at Western Sydney was caused by bad cramp rather than a calf strain, and the rest of the group came through the opening win without a fresh injury concern. Grace Maher and Poppy O’Keeffe remain unavailable. Alana Jančevski says Victory’s next attacking step is to show more bravery with difficult passes, combine more cleanly through the thirds and create more chances. The match at Hnry Stadium starts at quarter past ten on Sunday morning, Melbourne time.

In the development pathway, Victory have announced an Arden Campus within the new Arden Central precinct in North Melbourne. The club says it will include a hub for the Women’s program and youth female pathways, covering elite and community football. A shared Community Field and Community Hub are also planned. Victory says the project is the next phase of its infrastructure strategy for women’s and youth football.

Registrations are also open for Victory’s NPLW Showcase at the Home of the Matildas on Friday, October the thirtieth. The two-hour session is for players born from 2004 to 2011 and will be watched by the club’s NPLW and Academy coaches. Registration costs fifty dollars.

On international duty, Leyla Hussein and Sienna Calvanese are with the Junior Matildas, who were due to face Spain at two o’clock this morning, Melbourne time. The result was not available when this edition was prepared.

Sources:
A-Leagues
Melbourne City
Melbourne Victory
A-Leagues
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Football Australia
FIFA