Cup Glory Awaits
Tuesday nights FFA Cup Semi Final doesn’t only represent another chance for Melbourne City to stamp their authority over cross town rivals Victory, but the chance to make history in their short existence.
A Cup final appearance justifies what City Football Group are trying to achieve with their multi million dollar investment of Melbourne City, and presents the opportunity to win their first piece of silverware in the history of the club.
The convincing derby win just ten days prior to this important clash essentially counts for nothing as the two teams face off against each other at AAMI Park. Victory has a winning history in the FFA Cup and is the most successful team in A-League history, this club has been to the summit of the mountain and this experience could be a very telling factor.
Victory will also be buoyed by their last minute win over traditional rival Adelaide United on Saturday night. Given the results over the weekend you would have to believe Victory has the momentum, even after the result at Etihad.
City are no strangers to the semi final stage, but last season were heavily criticised for playing an understrength squad, including Tando Velaphi, Wade Dekker, Jack Clisby, Steve Kuzmanovski and Matt Miller. John Van’t Schip will not want to make the same mistake this year, especially after his errant choice of selecting Dean Bouzanis over number one keeper Thomas Sorensen last Friday night.
Expectations are far greater this season with his talented squad and owners (and fans) should be expecting a long cup run and a top four finish as a minimum.
Tim Cahill might find the going tough given his lack of match fitness and backing up from his appearance on Friday night, he hasn’t completed 90 minutes of football this season (or in recent memory) and could find the short break very challenging
Cup football is a different beast and may not suit the disjointed City defence. Expecting Sorensen plays on Tuesday he must use his leadership skills and command mistake free football from his back four, especially Josh Rose and Osama Malik (if he plays). Players like Besart Berisha seem to have an uncanny knack of taking advantage of the slightest opening and becoming the headline act for the big occassion. Mistake free football will be the key for City on Tuesday night and although the club plays under the mantra of ‘Beautiful Football’ I’d rather win ugly than lose pretty when the stakes are this high.
For some the FFA Cup is still looked upon as a nice little addition and not regarded Big Picture thinking but for Melbourne City a cup final appearance is the type of step this club needs to take if we are to grow organically.
Tuesday night is a momentous occasion for our club, let’s hope we are on the right side of the ledger once again in this important Melbourne derby.
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