Melbourne Victory’s head coach, Patrick Kisnorbo, is poised to guide his team into the Australian Cup final as they prepare to face their rivals, Adelaide United, in a crucial semi-final match. This clash, set for Saturday evening at AAMI Park, represents a significant opportunity for Kisnorbo to secure his first trophy with the club, having previously celebrated multiple titles with Melbourne City.
As the anticipation builds for this high-stakes encounter, the winner will advance to face either South Melbourne, a former NSL powerhouse currently in the NPL, or Macarthur in the championship match. However, despite the potential for silverware, Kisnorbo is focused solely on the task at hand. With a smile, he remarked, “I’ll worry about tomorrow—you can ask that question maybe another time.”
The cup run not only holds the promise of victory but also serves as a chance for Kisnorbo to solidify his relationship with Victory fans and implement his vision for the team. Reflecting on the lengthy preseason, he noted the benefits of having played competitive matches. “It’s a long preseason, and we’ve been able to play competitive games throughout. So it’s helped us, plus training hard,” he explained. This strategy has allowed him to assess players like Kasey Bos and new signings such as Nikos Vergos, Reno Piscopo, Jing Reec, and Joshua Rawlins.
Kisnorbo emphasized the importance of competition within the squad, saying, “Everyone’s had a chance, and we’ve had a look at them in a competitive game.” With only eleven spots available in the starting lineup, this process has been crucial for understanding his players’ capabilities and fostering a competitive spirit.
In terms of personnel changes, the departure of one-cap Socceroo Ben Folami to Adelaide United has stirred conversation. After struggling to find his place under Kisnorbo, Folami’s exit came late in the transfer window. Although eligible to play on Saturday, Adelaide’s coach, Carl Veart, has confirmed that Folami will not feature in the match. Kisnorbo expressed appreciation for Folami’s contributions but acknowledged his desire to take the team in a different direction. “Ben was a great boy, never a problem, but I just wanted to go in a different direction,” he stated, adding that he was pleased Folami has found a new club where he can earn more playing time.
Meanwhile, South Melbourne will compete against Macarthur at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday evening. However, they will be without their former captain and striker, Harrison Sawyer, who recently joined the Bulls on a two-year contract. Due to being cap-tied, Sawyer will not be able to face his old team, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming matches in the Australia Cup.