The players returned to the training track today ahead of the fourth Hyundai A-League campaign, with Muscat declaring the side is determined to make amends for its performance last season.

He said: "There are lessons to be learnt. We left our run a little bit too late last season.

“All you can do is pick yourself up for this season, hopefully get a bit of luck along the way and ability will get us over the line in the end.”

Victory have a shorter amount of time to prepare for their 2008/09 campaign, with the club’s maiden AFC Champions League campaign and blockbuster match against Juventus pushing back today’s starting date.

Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano had his first taste of Melbourne’s winter weather in this morning’s session, while Socceroo Michael Thwaite is set to meet his new Victory teammates tomorrow.

Victory trained without regulars Carlos Hernandez, Archie Thompson and Rodrigo Vargas, who have been given a break following their respective international commitments, while Leigh Broxham, Billy Celeski and Nick Ward remain in camp with the Olyroos.

Ernie Merrick's men will face two Victorian Premier League sides in the coming weeks, before the 2008 Pre-Season Cup campaign begins against Adelaide United at Aurora Stadium, Launceston on July 20.

Victory will open their Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season against Sydney FC at Sydney Football Stadium on August 16.

Muscat said: "We’ve got enough time certainly to get ourselves in good enough shape for the first game of the season.

“We went away and after four weeks, and I’m nearly 35 years old, I was chomping at the bit to come back.

“It’s what you do and it’s something you certainly miss when it’s not there.

“It’s good to see the boys again and, as you can see from the first session, the boys are eager to get back into it and happy to be back.”

Victory Assistant Coach Aaron Healey oversaw the team’s opening session in the absence of Coach Ernie Merrick, who is taking a break overseas, and believes the players are in good shape.

Healey said: "The boys are buzzing this morning. They’re fresh and have a bounce in their step after four weeks.

“They don’t need much encouragement or motivation to get out there. This pre-season is going to be vastly different to any other pre-season we’ve done.

“We’re just trying to get the boys back up to speed, rather than starting fresh.”

Victory will play trial matches against the Green Gully Cavaliers at Green Gully Reserve on Monday, 7 July (kick off 7pm) and the Whittlesea Zebras at Epping Soccer Stadium on Tuesday, 15 July (kick off 7pm).