Despite boasting only 270 minutes worth of history, the Melbourne Derby has managed to emerge in little over 12 months as the marquee fixture of the Hyundai A-League calendar.
The Melbourne Derby
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Strebre Delovski
AR 1/2: Matthew Cream / Ashley Beecham
4th official: Lucien Laverdure
Radio broadcaster: SEN Digital, ABC 774 and Digital
Despite boasting only 270 minutes worth of history, the Melbourne Derby has managed to emerge in little over 12 months as the marquee fixture of the Hyundai A-League calendar.
With record crowds and an unrivalled atmosphere, the Derby match-ups have already produced a cavalcade of moments and images, forever imprinted into the memories of football fans across the nation.
From John Aloisi-s history making opener at AAMI Park on October 8, to the stirring fight back at Etihad Stadium nine months ago, Heart has risen to the occasion each time the red and blue halves of Melbourne have met in battle.
And with red and yellow cards featuring prominently during the first three encounters between the sides, a lack of on-field passion, urgency and aggression will surely not be lacking.
Past Results
22 January 2011 – Melbourne Victory 2 Melbourne Heart FC 2 @ Etihad Stadium
11 December 2010 – Melbourne Heart FC 1 Melbourne Victory 3 @ AAMI Park
8 October 2010 – Melbourne Heart FC 2 Melbourne Victory 1 @ AAMI Park
Danger Man
Harry Kewell – An undoubted legend of the Australian game, Harry Kewell looms as the obvious key to Melbourne Victory-s hopes of claiming Derby IV. With tremendous passing range and a blistering shot, Kewell is poised to have a significant influence on the Hyundai A-League-s biggest stage, making vigilance among the Heart rearguard imperative.
Fact of the Week
Aziz Behich was the first player to represent both the blue and red halves of Melbourne in the Hyundai A-League.
Squads
Melbourne Victory squad: 2. Matthew Foschini, 3. Fabio, 4. Petar Franjic, 6. Leigh Broxham, 7. Matthew Kemp, 8. Grant Brebner, 9. Jean Carlos Solorzano, 10. Archie Thompson (c), 11. Marco Rojas, 12. Rodrigo Vargas, 13. Diogo Ferreira, 14. Billy Celeski, 15. Tom Pondeljak, 16.Carlos Hernandez, 18. Danny Allsopp, 19. Isaka Cernak, 20. Lawrence Thomas (GK), 21. Ante Covic (GK), 22. Harry Kewell.
Melbourne Heart FC Squad: 1. Clint Bolton (GK), 2. Michael Marrone, 3. Brendan Hamill, 4. Simon Colosimo, 6. Matt Thompson (c), 7. Rutger Worm, 8. Kristian Sarkies, 9. Maycon, 10. Wayne Srhoj, 11. Alex Terra, 13. Jonatan Germano, 15. David Williams, 16. Aziz Behich, 17. Jason Hoffman, 18. Curtis Good, 22. Nick Kalmar, 23. Mate Dugandzic, 24. Nikola Roganovic (GK)
