MELBOURNE Victory striker Danny Allsopp believes there is plenty of motivation for his side to win tomorrow's Asian Champions League clash with Chonburi FC, despite the fact the Victory can not go through to the quarter finals.
To see Melbourne in training...
Japanese side Gamba Osaka have already wrapped up top spot in Group G, and will go through to the final eight.
Allsopp said that while there is no prize for finishing second, there was a real sense the club wanted to end its inaugural ACL campaign on a high and beat the Thai champions.
"It will be another tough game, but we're gonna be up for it because we were obviously disappointed to be beaten over there (in Bangkok). They deserved to win that match, but we'll be looking, not for payback, but to show what sort of side we are and try and finish second in the group," he said.
"There's certainly no lack of motivation personally. I hope the other boys are as motivated as ever. It's not just this game, we are playing for places for next season and it's all part of the cycle that goes on. I don't think in front of the home crowd at Telstra Dome that any of the boys will be lacking motivation."
Victory were beaten 3-1 by Chonburi in Thailand in March, a loss Allsopp said was the most disappointing of the campaign. He said the fact Victory looked set to win after equalising early in the second half only to be stung by a brilliant goal from Stephane Baga showed what part fortune played in competitions like the ACL.
"Probably it was the most disappointing result. In saying that, they scored a great goal and there's not much you can do about that sometimes at a time where it looked like there was only going to be one winner in the game. Once we equalised at one-all it looked like we were going to win, and he scored a cracker, that's the way it goes sometimes," he said.
Allsopp has found himself in the Qantas Socceroos squad for Friday's friendly against Ghana after some strong form during the Asian Champions League campaign. He said he has really appreciated the extension of the season and the opportunity to play regular competitive games.
"It's fantastic. I suppose I appreciate things more as I get older. It's been a great chance to extend our season and play against some good teams. It's been good, and it's given me a chance to keep my fitness and I've been rewarded with Socceroos selection," he said.
"It's been a good experience, especially for the younger guys in the group, its invaluable experience for them to play in the ACL. We've learned a lot about what it's all about, we've been close in a couple of the games, but we've still got a lot to play for."
To see Melbourne in training...
Japanese side Gamba Osaka have already wrapped up top spot in Group G, and will go through to the final eight.
Allsopp said that while there is no prize for finishing second, there was a real sense the club wanted to end its inaugural ACL campaign on a high and beat the Thai champions.
"It will be another tough game, but we're gonna be up for it because we were obviously disappointed to be beaten over there (in Bangkok). They deserved to win that match, but we'll be looking, not for payback, but to show what sort of side we are and try and finish second in the group," he said.
"There's certainly no lack of motivation personally. I hope the other boys are as motivated as ever. It's not just this game, we are playing for places for next season and it's all part of the cycle that goes on. I don't think in front of the home crowd at Telstra Dome that any of the boys will be lacking motivation."
Victory were beaten 3-1 by Chonburi in Thailand in March, a loss Allsopp said was the most disappointing of the campaign. He said the fact Victory looked set to win after equalising early in the second half only to be stung by a brilliant goal from Stephane Baga showed what part fortune played in competitions like the ACL.
"Probably it was the most disappointing result. In saying that, they scored a great goal and there's not much you can do about that sometimes at a time where it looked like there was only going to be one winner in the game. Once we equalised at one-all it looked like we were going to win, and he scored a cracker, that's the way it goes sometimes," he said.
Allsopp has found himself in the Qantas Socceroos squad for Friday's friendly against Ghana after some strong form during the Asian Champions League campaign. He said he has really appreciated the extension of the season and the opportunity to play regular competitive games.
"It's fantastic. I suppose I appreciate things more as I get older. It's been a great chance to extend our season and play against some good teams. It's been good, and it's given me a chance to keep my fitness and I've been rewarded with Socceroos selection," he said.
"It's been a good experience, especially for the younger guys in the group, its invaluable experience for them to play in the ACL. We've learned a lot about what it's all about, we've been close in a couple of the games, but we've still got a lot to play for."
To see Melbourne in training...
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