Latest news with #Velupillay
The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'50-50': Victory mull grand final call on injured stars
Melbourne Victory will give Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay until the 11th hour to prove his fitness for the A-League Men grand final. Velupillay was forced off the field with a right ankle injury in Victory's stirring 2-0 away win over Auckland that booked their passage to Saturday's sold out blockbuster grand final at AAMI Park. The 24-year-old was on crutches and in a moonboot on Tuesday, casting doubt over both his involvement against Melbourne City on Saturday and for the Socceroos' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. "We're not sure yet. It's still early," Victory coach Arthur Diles said. "We'll give him to the 11th hour and we'll make that decision on Friday. But at this stage, it's probably 50-50. "He's walking better, but one thing's to walk and one thing's to be up for a final. "In terms of general walking, he is better, significant improvement in that regard. "But still way too early to have a clear indication." Skipper Roderick Miranda and his teammates are rallying around Velupillay, who is yet to train this week. "Everybody will expect Nish to come but I think it's a daily process," he said. "Hopefully tomorrow he feels better, the day after better and after, I think we'll take it from there. "But for now, just hoping he feels better. That's the most important, to feel healthy, and if he's able to play, we are more than happy to have him. "If not, I know he'll be one of the extra 1000s around to help us. So got fingers crossed." Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak is pushing to return from a foot injury and trained in boots at open training on Tuesday - though he has worked solo rather than with fellow shot-stopper Jack Duncan. "He did a little bit yesterday, he did a little bit more today," Diles said. "We'll see tomorrow how he pulls up, because it'll be first time he's done two days back back to back. So it'll be a big test for him." Kasey Bos (heel) and Adama Traore (calf) are both expected to be fit. City are ready for their nominally "home" grand final to be dominated by Victory fans and will embrace the occasion. "I still can't believe, after 20 years, it's the first derby in the grand final," coach Aurelio 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." Captain Aziz Behich, a proud Melburnian, said: "I'm expecting the atmosphere to be unbelievable. "It's massive ... We're excited. It's perfect for Australian football." Melbourne Victory will give Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay until the 11th hour to prove his fitness for the A-League Men grand final. Velupillay was forced off the field with a right ankle injury in Victory's stirring 2-0 away win over Auckland that booked their passage to Saturday's sold out blockbuster grand final at AAMI Park. The 24-year-old was on crutches and in a moonboot on Tuesday, casting doubt over both his involvement against Melbourne City on Saturday and for the Socceroos' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. "We're not sure yet. It's still early," Victory coach Arthur Diles said. "We'll give him to the 11th hour and we'll make that decision on Friday. But at this stage, it's probably 50-50. "He's walking better, but one thing's to walk and one thing's to be up for a final. "In terms of general walking, he is better, significant improvement in that regard. "But still way too early to have a clear indication." Skipper Roderick Miranda and his teammates are rallying around Velupillay, who is yet to train this week. "Everybody will expect Nish to come but I think it's a daily process," he said. "Hopefully tomorrow he feels better, the day after better and after, I think we'll take it from there. "But for now, just hoping he feels better. That's the most important, to feel healthy, and if he's able to play, we are more than happy to have him. "If not, I know he'll be one of the extra 1000s around to help us. So got fingers crossed." Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak is pushing to return from a foot injury and trained in boots at open training on Tuesday - though he has worked solo rather than with fellow shot-stopper Jack Duncan. "He did a little bit yesterday, he did a little bit more today," Diles said. "We'll see tomorrow how he pulls up, because it'll be first time he's done two days back back to back. So it'll be a big test for him." Kasey Bos (heel) and Adama Traore (calf) are both expected to be fit. City are ready for their nominally "home" grand final to be dominated by Victory fans and will embrace the occasion. "I still can't believe, after 20 years, it's the first derby in the grand final," coach Aurelio 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." Captain Aziz Behich, a proud Melburnian, said: "I'm expecting the atmosphere to be unbelievable. "It's massive ... We're excited. It's perfect for Australian football." Melbourne Victory will give Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay until the 11th hour to prove his fitness for the A-League Men grand final. Velupillay was forced off the field with a right ankle injury in Victory's stirring 2-0 away win over Auckland that booked their passage to Saturday's sold out blockbuster grand final at AAMI Park. The 24-year-old was on crutches and in a moonboot on Tuesday, casting doubt over both his involvement against Melbourne City on Saturday and for the Socceroos' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. "We're not sure yet. It's still early," Victory coach Arthur Diles said. "We'll give him to the 11th hour and we'll make that decision on Friday. But at this stage, it's probably 50-50. "He's walking better, but one thing's to walk and one thing's to be up for a final. "In terms of general walking, he is better, significant improvement in that regard. "But still way too early to have a clear indication." Skipper Roderick Miranda and his teammates are rallying around Velupillay, who is yet to train this week. "Everybody will expect Nish to come but I think it's a daily process," he said. "Hopefully tomorrow he feels better, the day after better and after, I think we'll take it from there. "But for now, just hoping he feels better. That's the most important, to feel healthy, and if he's able to play, we are more than happy to have him. "If not, I know he'll be one of the extra 1000s around to help us. So got fingers crossed." Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak is pushing to return from a foot injury and trained in boots at open training on Tuesday - though he has worked solo rather than with fellow shot-stopper Jack Duncan. "He did a little bit yesterday, he did a little bit more today," Diles said. "We'll see tomorrow how he pulls up, because it'll be first time he's done two days back back to back. So it'll be a big test for him." Kasey Bos (heel) and Adama Traore (calf) are both expected to be fit. City are ready for their nominally "home" grand final to be dominated by Victory fans and will embrace the occasion. "I still can't believe, after 20 years, it's the first derby in the grand final," coach Aurelio 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." Captain Aziz Behich, a proud Melburnian, said: "I'm expecting the atmosphere to be unbelievable. "It's massive ... We're excited. It's perfect for Australian football."
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
'50-50': Victory mull grand final call on injured stars
Melbourne Victory will give Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay until the 11th hour to prove his fitness for the A-League Men grand final. Velupillay was forced off the field with a right ankle injury in Victory's stirring 2-0 away win over Auckland that booked their passage to Saturday's sold out blockbuster grand final at AAMI Park. The 24-year-old was on crutches and in a moonboot on Tuesday, casting doubt over both his involvement against Melbourne City on Saturday and for the Socceroos' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. "We're not sure yet. It's still early," Victory coach Arthur Diles said. "We'll give him to the 11th hour and we'll make that decision on Friday. But at this stage, it's probably 50-50. "He's walking better, but one thing's to walk and one thing's to be up for a final. "In terms of general walking, he is better, significant improvement in that regard. "But still way too early to have a clear indication." Skipper Roderick Miranda and his teammates are rallying around Velupillay, who is yet to train this week. "Everybody will expect Nish to come but I think it's a daily process," he said. "Hopefully tomorrow he feels better, the day after better and after, I think we'll take it from there. "But for now, just hoping he feels better. That's the most important, to feel healthy, and if he's able to play, we are more than happy to have him. "If not, I know he'll be one of the extra 1000s around to help us. So got fingers crossed." Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak is pushing to return from a foot injury and trained in boots at open training on Tuesday - though he has worked solo rather than with fellow shot-stopper Jack Duncan. "He did a little bit yesterday, he did a little bit more today," Diles said. "We'll see tomorrow how he pulls up, because it'll be first time he's done two days back back to back. So it'll be a big test for him." Kasey Bos (heel) and Adama Traore (calf) are both expected to be fit. City are ready for their nominally "home" grand final to be dominated by Victory fans and will embrace the occasion. "I still can't believe, after 20 years, it's the first derby in the grand final," coach Aurelio 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." Captain Aziz Behich, a proud Melburnian, said: "I'm expecting the atmosphere to be unbelievable. "It's massive ... We're excited. It's perfect for Australian football."
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'50-50': Victory mull grand final call on injured stars
Melbourne Victory will give Socceroos attacker Nishan Velupillay until the 11th hour to prove his fitness for the A-League Men grand final. Velupillay was forced off the field with a right ankle injury in Victory's stirring 2-0 away win over Auckland that booked their passage to Saturday's sold out blockbuster grand final at AAMI Park. The 24-year-old was on crutches and in a moonboot on Tuesday, casting doubt over both his involvement against Melbourne City on Saturday and for the Socceroos' upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. "We're not sure yet. It's still early," Victory coach Arthur Diles said. "We'll give him to the 11th hour and we'll make that decision on Friday. But at this stage, it's probably 50-50. "He's walking better, but one thing's to walk and one thing's to be up for a final. "In terms of general walking, he is better, significant improvement in that regard. "But still way too early to have a clear indication." Skipper Roderick Miranda and his teammates are rallying around Velupillay, who is yet to train this week. "Everybody will expect Nish to come but I think it's a daily process," he said. "Hopefully tomorrow he feels better, the day after better and after, I think we'll take it from there. "But for now, just hoping he feels better. That's the most important, to feel healthy, and if he's able to play, we are more than happy to have him. "If not, I know he'll be one of the extra 1000s around to help us. So got fingers crossed." Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak is pushing to return from a foot injury and trained in boots at open training on Tuesday - though he has worked solo rather than with fellow shot-stopper Jack Duncan. "He did a little bit yesterday, he did a little bit more today," Diles said. "We'll see tomorrow how he pulls up, because it'll be first time he's done two days back back to back. So it'll be a big test for him." Kasey Bos (heel) and Adama Traore (calf) are both expected to be fit. City are ready for their nominally "home" grand final to be dominated by Victory fans and will embrace the occasion. "I still can't believe, after 20 years, it's the first derby in the grand final," coach Aurelio 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." Captain Aziz Behich, a proud Melburnian, said: "I'm expecting the atmosphere to be unbelievable. "It's massive ... We're excited. It's perfect for Australian football."
Perth Now
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Victory gun Velupillay sets sights on Auckland boilover
Nishan Velupillay is finding form for his club, scoring for his country and adamant Melbourne Victory can cause an A-League Men finals boilover. Victory host premiers Auckland FC at AAMI Park in the first leg of their semi-final on Saturday. After knocking off Western Sydney away in their elimination final, the Victory are high on confidence. "The boys celebrated that win Saturday and we were happy the way we performed," Velupillay told AAP. "We know we have to go up another level now to beat Auckland but we're very excited for the prospect on Saturday. "That's the special thing about two legs - it evens out the game a little bit "A home semi-final is really special. Hopefully the fans come out in numbers and we can produce a performance for them." Velupillay has the prospect of contending for ALM silverware then heading to Perth and Jeddah for the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. "The games coming up for the Socceroos and the finals here, they're really good match-ups," he said. "All the teams playing are really good teams. "It's exciting and for us as players, the more football we get to play, the better. It's gonna be an exciting month ahead." Velupillay, 24, had a red-hot start to the ALM season, scored on his first Socceroos appearance, then suffered an ankle injury. But after building form and fitness, he's now got three goals in his five national team appearances, to go with seven for Victory this season. "It's been a good year," he said. "I've always believed in myself and I'm always looking to go to the next level. "The opportunity to play at the national level is really important for me. "I always believed in myself that I can match the level and it's up to me to keep improving, keep producing." Velupillay is contracted for next season but overseas interest will no doubt come knocking. But the 24-year-old is firmly focused on claiming an elusive championship. "I've had two pretty good cracks at it with the boys the last couple of years and we've just fallen short," he said. "For me, with this club, winning a piece of silverware is probably what I'd do to pay them back for everything they've done for me." That starts with beating Auckland's defence, led by captain Hiroki Sakai. "They're very good defenders, especially one-on-one and in a low block they tend to defend the box really well," he said. "So it's our job to break them down and we've got some really creative players within the front line. "It's a challenge but we relish a challenge. "We've got a lot of threats, especially off the bench as well "We've got a lot of special players, so if you stop one you have to try and stop the others as well."
West Australian
16-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Victory gun Velupillay sets sights on Auckland boilover
Nishan Velupillay is finding form for his club, scoring for his country and adamant Melbourne Victory can cause an A-League Men finals boilover. Victory host premiers Auckland FC at AAMI Park in the first leg of their semi-final on Saturday. After knocking off Western Sydney away in their elimination final, the Victory are high on confidence. "The boys celebrated that win Saturday and we were happy the way we performed," Velupillay told AAP. "We know we have to go up another level now to beat Auckland but we're very excited for the prospect on Saturday. "That's the special thing about two legs - it evens out the game a little bit "A home semi-final is really special. Hopefully the fans come out in numbers and we can produce a performance for them." Velupillay has the prospect of contending for ALM silverware then heading to Perth and Jeddah for the Socceroos' crunch World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia. "The games coming up for the Socceroos and the finals here, they're really good match-ups," he said. "All the teams playing are really good teams. "It's exciting and for us as players, the more football we get to play, the better. It's gonna be an exciting month ahead." Velupillay, 24, had a red-hot start to the ALM season, scored on his first Socceroos appearance, then suffered an ankle injury. But after building form and fitness, he's now got three goals in his five national team appearances, to go with seven for Victory this season. "It's been a good year," he said. "I've always believed in myself and I'm always looking to go to the next level. "The opportunity to play at the national level is really important for me. "I always believed in myself that I can match the level and it's up to me to keep improving, keep producing." Velupillay is contracted for next season but overseas interest will no doubt come knocking. But the 24-year-old is firmly focused on claiming an elusive championship. "I've had two pretty good cracks at it with the boys the last couple of years and we've just fallen short," he said. "For me, with this club, winning a piece of silverware is probably what I'd do to pay them back for everything they've done for me." That starts with beating Auckland's defence, led by captain Hiroki Sakai. "They're very good defenders, especially one-on-one and in a low block they tend to defend the box really well," he said. "So it's our job to break them down and we've got some really creative players within the front line. "It's a challenge but we relish a challenge. "We've got a lot of threats, especially off the bench as well "We've got a lot of special players, so if you stop one you have to try and stop the others as well."
