Latest news with #MitchLangerak
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Jack Duncan ‘proud' of himself despite Melbourne Victory's grand final loss
The A-League grand final was a bittersweet experience for Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Jack Duncan. While disappointed that his side was beaten 1-0 by crosstown rivals Melbourne City, Duncan was thrilled to play in the decider at AAMI Park after the devastation of being dropped in January to make way for returning former Socceroos gloveman Mitch Langerak. 'That was one of the lowest points of my whole career because I felt like I was at a real strong point in my own form, but I understood that the results weren't coming and we needed to change something, and that was something that they could change, and decided to do that,' Duncan said. The former Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix custodian knew the situation last year when he signed with the Victory – he was keeping the goalkeeper's spot for Langerak until the latter's return to the club in January after 14 years abroad. 'At the start of the (season), I was playing every game, and then obviously, when Mitch came in, the coach (Arthur Diles) made a decision to change,' Duncan said. However, Duncan kept working hard and got an unexpected opportunity in late April when Langerak injured his foot. It resulted in Duncan starting in the Victory's final six games of the club's 2024-25 campaign, including Saturday night's competition decider. 'Football has a funny way of coming back around, and I just worked every day to be there if the opportunity came again, and it thankfully did, for my own sake, and I was able to experience incredible nights like (the grand final). 'It's been a tough season in some aspects, but in others, an incredibly rewarding season. 'I am proud of the season I've had.' He was also proud of his Victory teammates for their grand final performance. 'The boys left everything out on the pitch. You could see the effort, the intent from minute one to the last kick of the game, but unfortunately in finals games, small margins determine the result, and unfortunately for us, Melbourne City won those margins,' Duncan said. 'We had a really good season to be here on the final day, and unfortunately we just fell short.' Duncan revealed that his effort of 19 games this season was enough to trigger a contract extension with the Victory. 'We'll see how the off-season unfolds. I've loved every minute of my time at the club so far, the fans have been unbelievable towards me,' he said. 'The noise when I went out to warm up (for the grand final) was something that will stay with me for forever. 'It was an incredible experience, and I can't thank them enough for how they've treated me, and the support that they gave me and all the boys throughout the year. It was really special.'
News.com.au
7 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Nishan Velupillay to be given until ‘11th hour' to prove his fitness for A-League decider
Socceroos star Nishan Velupillay is a '50-50' prospect for Saturday night's A-League grand final, while his Melbourne Victory teammate Mitch Langerak is making a late push for selection in the derby decider against Melbourne City. Attacking weapon Velupillay injured his right ankle in the Victory's semi-final success in Auckland last Saturday, and seemed little chance to of playing this weekend at AAMI Park. However, Victory coach Arthur Diles is set to give one of his prized assets as much time as possible to prove his fitness. 'We'll give him to the 11th hour … but at this stage, it's probably 50-50,' Diles said on Wednesday. 'He's walking better, but one thing is to walk, and one thing is to be up for a final. '(It is) still way too early to have a clear indication.' Former Socceroos goalkeeper Langerak has missed the Victory's past five matches with a foot injury, with Jack Duncan deputising for the 36-year-old gloveman. 'He did a little bit (on Tuesday), he did a little bit more (on Wednesday)' Diles said of Langerak. 'We'll see (on Thursday) how he pulls up, because it'll be first time he's done two days back-to-back, so it'll be a big test for him.' Left-back Kasey Bos, who missed last Saturday's 2-0 semi-final second-leg win over Auckland FC with a heel injury, is expected to be available for the final. A full house of close to 30,000 is expected at AAMI Park, with the Victory set to have the majority of the support. However, City coach Aurelio Vidmar urged his side to 'embrace' the occasion and a pro-Victory atmosphere. 'You can't run away from it,' Vidmar said. 'You know what the derby is always like. They're always intense. There's always something happening that can be explosive, so we just have to try to prepare for anything and everything. 'Whatever happens on the night, we'll be ready. They'll have the majority share of the crowd but our fans have fans have been there from the very first day … and we expect them to support us right to the end.' Despite the Victory's heroics in Auckland, where they defied the odds to end the Black Knights' hopes of a premiership-championship double, Vidmar's men are full of confidence heading into the decider. City finished second on the ladder, five points clear of their Melbourne rivals. 'There's no question they're a very strong outfit but we're also a very strong outfit and we deserve to be where we are today, and we deserve to be fighting it out in that last game on Saturday night,' Vidmar said. 'There are always going to be moments in games, and you have to try to manage those moments as best you can. 'We want to be the aggressor. That's the way we play, that's the team's identity and we'll continue to do that.'
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Melbourne Victory star Nishan Velupillay in doubt for A-League grand final
Melbourne Victory are sweating on the fitness of Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay ahead of Saturday night's A-League grand final against Melbourne City at AAMI Park. Having suffered a lower leg injury in the Victory's semi-final weekend win over Auckland FC, Velupillay was seen near the club's headquarters on Monday on crutches and with a moon boot on his right leg. Sources close to the Victory say that club officials are remaining hopeful that Velupillay will recover in time for Saturday's all-Victorian decider after being extremely worried after he suffered the injury in the closing stages of the first-half in his side's 2-0 semi-final second leg win at Go Media Stadium. Velupillay finished the half limping but didn't reappear after half-time. Despite his absence, the Victory scored twice in the second-half to secure an overall 2-1 win on aggregate after losing the first-leg 1-0. His injury came a week after experienced Victory defender Brendan Hamill ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in his side's first-leg loss at AAMI Park. The Victory are also expected to again be without first-choice goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, who has a foot injury and hasn't played since the team's 2-0 loss to Auckland on April 19. Former Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory and Wellington Phoenix custodian Jack Duncan has deputised for 36-year-old Langerak in the Victory's past five matches, and also played in the club's first 13 games of the season before being replaced by the former Socceroos gloveman, who returned to the Melbourne outfit in January after 14 years abroad.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Heartbreak! Auckland FC knocked out by Melbourne Victory
Zinédine Machach of Melbourne Victory takes a shot at goal to score against Auckland FC, at Go Media Stadium in Auckland on Saturday night. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The minor premiers' stunning season has ended with an upset semi-final defeat for Auckland FC to the Melbourne Victory in front of a record crowd at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium. Auckland FC have had an extraordinary debut season, and held a precious 1-0 lead into the second leg of their A-League semi-final going into Saturday night's game against. The crowd were on the edge of their seat throughout the game, as a draw or a win at a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium would have sent Auckland through to the final, for what would be a historic home grand final. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Auckland FC : Alex Paulsen, Hiroki Sakai, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Louis Verstraete, Cameron Howieson, Luis Toomey, Max Mata, Guillermo May, Marlee François, Michael Woud, Liam Gillion, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Jake Brimmer, Dan Hall, Neyder Moreno, Logan Rogerson, Luis Felipe Gallegos Melbourne Victory: Mitch Langerak, Adama Traore, Lachlan Jackson, Brendan Hamill, Ryan Teague, Daniel Arzani, Zinedine Machach, Nikolaos Vergos, Bruno Fornaroli, Jordi Valadon, Joshua Inserra, Nishan Velupillay, Fabian Monge, Jing Reec, Roderick Miranda, Joshua Rawlins, Alexander Badolato, Jack Duncan, Luka Kolic, Kasey Bos
NZ Herald
27-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Auckland FC v Perth Glory: Live updates from A-League round 28
All the action as Auckland FC look to claim the Premiers Plate against Perth Glory in Auckland. Missed last week's game? Here's the match report from Auckland FC's 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory. Auckland FC's march towards the Premiers Plate rolls on. For a new team in a competition, this has been a dream start for the Black Knights, Saturday night's 2-0 win away to the Melbourne Victory the latest chapter in a fairytale debut season so far. With just two rounds left of the regular season, Auckland FC have a record of 14 wins, eight draws and just two losses – their last defeat against the Perth Glory in January. It's fitting the Black Knights now have the chance to secure the top seed for the playoffs and hoist the Premiers Plate in the reverse fixture against Perth at Mt Smart on Sunday at 5pm. Leading by six points, Auckland need just one point from their final two matches. Since that loss in Perth, Steve Corica's team have rattled off 13 games unbeaten – including seven wins. Against the Victory, Auckland FC showed their ability to break down an opponent. Captain Hiroki Sakai was everywhere on defence and had some nice touches on attack, midfielders Francis De Vries and Callan Elliot were active throughout, Alex Paulsen made some key saves, and Louis Verstraete and Guillermo May made their chances count. In short, Auckland FC frustrated the Victory with a brick wall defence and constant pressure when Melbourne were trying to work the ball out of their own end of the field. The visitors enjoyed more of the possession in the game and put it to good use to trouble the Melbourne defence. There were promising signs early when Jake Brimmer connected well on a half volley to beat Melbourne keeper Mitch Langerak, only for the ball to glance off the post and back out. The visitors had by far the better chances in the first half, the best falling to Cam Howieson just before halftime. Called into action early after an injury to Felipe Gallegos, the midfielder found himself on the end of a beautiful ball from Sakai, only to get his shot all wrong and fail to hit the target. It was a tense half, but Auckland looked the more likely to break the deadlock. That moment came in the 53rd minute, when Verstraete coolly sent a side-footed shot past the outstretched arm of Victory keeper Mitch Langerak after De Vries set him up perfectly just outside the box. There were some arguments of an Auckland player in an offside position obstructing Langerak's line of sight, but it was reviewed, cleared and Auckland had the lead. Victory fought and it took an incredible save from Paulsen to keep them out late in the half, before May's late goal put the result beyond doubt – putting the side one step closer to lifting the Plate.
