Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick has conceded results will not play a crucial role in determining the success of the club’s Chinese tour.
By Simon Chiarelli
Speaking prior to the team’s departure in Melbourne today, Merrick said the primary focus of the tour would be on the overall performance and development of the squad in preparation for the forthcoming A-League season.
“We always want to win every game we play, but we have got to be realistic from that point of view. It would be great to win one of the two games, maybe both, but it is more important that the team learns to play together so they are ready for the A-League,” he said.
Melbourne’s friendly against the Chinese national team on Wednesday looms as arguably the club’s toughest test since its conception, but Merrick is simply honoured the club has been granted the opportunity to face off with the 2004 Asian Cup runners-up.
“I think not only playing in the Asian Confederation, but being the top team in Australia at the moment opens up a number of opportunities and this is one of them,” he said.
“When the Chinese team found out we were going over to play Tianjin Teda, they were pretty keen to use us for their final warm-up game for the Asian Cup and it is quite a privilege.”
Club captain and reigning best and fairest Kevin Muscat believes the tour merely indicates the rapid rise and progression of the A-League in its first two seasons, although he is under no illusions as to the grand task that awaits them.
“It is a great opportunity for us to be able to go overseas to progress on our pre-season and the boys are looking forward to it,” he said.
“We have done all we can in terms of preparation, all the things that help us and give us an advantage but once we get out there we will have to see how we go.”
However, Victory may struggle to field a competitive line-up in China, as midfield general Grant Brebner has withdrawn from the tour due to a groin strain. Further, Costa Rican World Cup star Carlos Hernandez will also miss the trip due to visa issues, forcing Merrick to consider deploying new signing Kaz Patafta as a foil to A-League Golden Boot Danny Allsopp.
Melbourne’s first game takes place in two days time, before they complete the trip on Saturday with a game against Tianjin Teda as they vie for the Mayor’s Cup.
Speaking prior to the team’s departure in Melbourne today, Merrick said the primary focus of the tour would be on the overall performance and development of the squad in preparation for the forthcoming A-League season.
“We always want to win every game we play, but we have got to be realistic from that point of view. It would be great to win one of the two games, maybe both, but it is more important that the team learns to play together so they are ready for the A-League,” he said.
Melbourne’s friendly against the Chinese national team on Wednesday looms as arguably the club’s toughest test since its conception, but Merrick is simply honoured the club has been granted the opportunity to face off with the 2004 Asian Cup runners-up.
“I think not only playing in the Asian Confederation, but being the top team in Australia at the moment opens up a number of opportunities and this is one of them,” he said.
“When the Chinese team found out we were going over to play Tianjin Teda, they were pretty keen to use us for their final warm-up game for the Asian Cup and it is quite a privilege.”
Club captain and reigning best and fairest Kevin Muscat believes the tour merely indicates the rapid rise and progression of the A-League in its first two seasons, although he is under no illusions as to the grand task that awaits them.
“It is a great opportunity for us to be able to go overseas to progress on our pre-season and the boys are looking forward to it,” he said.
“We have done all we can in terms of preparation, all the things that help us and give us an advantage but once we get out there we will have to see how we go.”
However, Victory may struggle to field a competitive line-up in China, as midfield general Grant Brebner has withdrawn from the tour due to a groin strain. Further, Costa Rican World Cup star Carlos Hernandez will also miss the trip due to visa issues, forcing Merrick to consider deploying new signing Kaz Patafta as a foil to A-League Golden Boot Danny Allsopp.
Melbourne’s first game takes place in two days time, before they complete the trip on Saturday with a game against Tianjin Teda as they vie for the Mayor’s Cup.
