There’s nothing like a Christmas Derby, City left back Scott Jamieson says. With a strong crowd and a festive atmosphere expected at AAMI Park on Saturday night, Jamieson said the Christmas Derby will be a ‘special’ occasion for football fans in Melbourne this December.
“I think it’s going to be exciting because it’s going to be at AAMI Park,” Jamieson said from Federation Square on Monday afternoon, where he and striker Bruce Kamau got into the festive spirit next to the giant 16m Christmas tree erected at the iconic tourist site.
“It’s two teams going for territory and points, this is the one we want to build up, make sure it’s a big crowd, two very well behaved [sets of fans] and 22 very good players on the field.
“With the results of the teams so far, I think it is teed up nicely for a special Christmas Derby.”
Jamieson said that despite last Friday’s 3-1 loss against A-League leaders Sydney FC, the confidence was high in the camp and he believes that results aside, the team had improved since City’s round two derby triumph over Victory.
“Without a doubt [the team has improved]… results have been good, not amazing, but good and I think with our performances we have improved in different areas. It’s also been about that upward trajectory in terms of improving and getting better. We go into this game full of confidence.
“That may sound a little silly because we’ve we were beaten 3-1 [against Sydney FC last round] but it was a game that the score line didn’t really [reflect] the game, we didn’t deserve to lose and we played really well and it’s something we go into with confidence against Victory.”
Jamieson said despite the potential loss of some key attacking players, he said City’s emerging crop of talented young players, like striker Braedyn Crowley, could perform an important role if called upon on Saturday.
“Braedyn is one of those players I don’t like to play against but I would like to have on my team, if that makes sense. He’s a player who can score a goal and he’s one, if I had an opportunity to pick a team, I would pick him, because with his record in the youth team, the way he trains, he has no fear, he’s definitely an option we can use up front, especially with youngsters coming through our Club.”
