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Victory meet the J-League power tomorrow night in a crucial group clash with the game doubling up as Muscat’s final game on Australian soil at Etihad.

Or is it?

When quizzed on the possibility of Melbourne Victory making it through the group stage and knockout round – a long shot but still a possibility – and into a September ACL quarter final, Durakovic was unequivocal in his desire to talk Muscat out of retirement, when quizzed by au.fourfourtwo.com

“I would love to [convince him to stay on]. I’d love to," said the caretaker coach said at today’s pre-match press conference.

"I’ve known Kevin a very long time and he’s been a true champion on and off the pitch. You can’t buy experience."

And Durakovic was clearly moved when asked about Muscat’s impending retirement.

“How can you replace Kevin Muscat?” Durakovic said. “The guy’s been a true legend of the game. Kevin Muscat for me is Melbourne Victory and always will be Melbourne Victory.

“What’s he’s done, not just on the pitch but off the pitch where a lot of you guys [the media] don’t see the charity work he does. You don’t realise the phenomenal, phenomenal job he’s done.

“He’s a true legend of the club and Australian football and he’s going to be sorely missed. How do you replace Kev?

"We’ve got a few youngsters coming through the youth league…. it’ll be a big step for them but hopefully they’ll learn from Kev, with him being the assistant next year."

If Victory can take the three points tomorrow night, it sets up an exciting finale in South Korea against Jeju United.

Muscat confirmed he’d play in that game against the K-League if selected and hoped there would be another match in the knockout stage ahead of the start of the quarter-finals stage that would kick-off around the time of the next A-League season.

However, Muscat himself was firm in his plan that his career would not extend beyond the round of 16  at the latest – though he left the door ever so slightly ajar.

He added: “It’s a long way away and to be honest I’ve not given it any thought.

"It was something I factored in when I made the decision [to retire] at the end of the group stage or round of 16 that was going to be it, so it was something I was aware of.

“And at this point in time, I’m looking forward to a long holiday and break. It’s something I haven’t given any consideration to. So the answer’s no.”

Victory officials were hopeful of a crowd of around 10,000 for tomorrow night’s game against the J-League side.

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