Melbourne Victory hosts City in a blockbuster Derby clash at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Summary
Despite a strong performance during which it created numerous chances, Victory was held to a 1-1 draw by Wellington Phoenix last time out.
Keisuke Honda was back on the scoresheet for Victory, netting from the penalty spot after Leigh Broxham was brought down in the area.
It marked Honda’s sixth goal of the season, the Japanese star continuing his return from a hamstring injury by again coming off the bench.
Victory hosts fifth-placed City in what is the final Derby of the regular season on Saturday.
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Despite its draw in Auckland, Victory remained second on the table – one clear of Sydney FC and seven ahead of fourth-placed Adelaide United.
Honda and James Donachie got minutes off the bench, while defender Georg Niedermeier started his first game since early December.
Ola Toivonen, who with Kosta Barbarouses leads Victory’s goalscoring with 10 this season, was sidelined due to a quad injury.
Victory will also regain midfielder Terry Antonis, who missed the trip to New Zealand due to suspension.
Player in focus
What they said
“It’s a very enjoyable experience, I’m enjoying every second, every minute of me being here so I’m enjoying it. Since coming to Australia, people have been telling me, ‘Elvis, you have a chance of making A-League’ so after I’ve been told by people, not only one, a few, I just kept training hard, I made a move from Adelaide to here trying to get an A-League contract so when I got it, I was very happy.” – Victory attacker Elvis Kamsoba.
Last time
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Round 9
City 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Saturday, December 22, 2018
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Victory was held to a draw when the teams met in the Christmas Derby last year.
After Toivonen put Victory ahead, City scored a late equaliser through Dario Vidosic.
As it stands
Head to head
Round 9, 2018/19: City 1-1 Victory at AAMI Park
Round 1, 2018/19: Victory 1-2 City at Marvel Stadium
Round 22, 2017/18: City 1-2 Victory at AAMI Park
Round 12, 2017/18: City 0-1 Victory at AAMI Park
Round 2, 2017/18: Victory 1-2 City at Marvel Stadium
Match details
Melbourne Victory v City
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Kick-off: 7.50pm AEDT
1. Matthew ACTON (GK), 2. Storm ROUX, 3. Corey BROWN, 4. Keisuke HONDA, 5. Georg NIEDERMIER, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Kenny ATHIU, 8. Terry ANTONIS, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. James TROISI, 11. Ola TOIVONEN, 14. Thomas DENG, 15. Raul BAENA, 16. Josh HOPE, 17. James DONACHIE, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 24. Elvis KAMSOBA, 25. Anthony LESIOTIS
*two to be omitted*
Ins: 8. Terry ANTONIS (return from suspension), 11. Ola TOIVONEN (return from injury)
Outs:
Unavailable: 21. Carl VALERI (hamstring)
