News
SUN 31.07.2016
- Melbourne Victory are the most decorated club in the A-League, the Australian top flight. They have won the title three times, in 2007, 2009 and 2015, the joint-highest tally alongside the Brisbane Roar. What's more, they are the only Australian side to have done the domestic treble. This came back in 2008/09, when they lifted the Pre-Season Challenge Cup, as well as the Premiership and Championship trophies for triumphing in the regular season and Grand Final respectively.
- A couple of weeks ago, the Victory signed seasoned Spanish defender Alan Baro from SD Ponferradina. Baro has previously plied his trade for LaLiga outfits Albacete, At. Osasuna and Alicante CF. "I am excited about this opportunity to play with Melbourne Victory in the A-League. I have heard good things about the quality of football in Australia and I am looking forward to starting training with my new teammates," the Spaniard said on formalising his move.
- Following stints based at the Olympic Park Stadium and the Etihad Stadium, since 2007 the Victory have played the majority of their home matches at AAMI Park, a ground with a capacity of over 30,000. This is also where Atletico Madrid have held all of their training sessions in Australia, although their forthcoming meeting with Kevin Muscat's men will be staged at the Simonds Stadium.
- Besides the main team, Melbourne Victory also have a women's section and a youth side. Furthermore, since 2010 they have been running Club Victory, a developmental platform aiming to cultivate the values of sport among Australian kids. The club's commitment to local outreach and community work can also be seen in other projects it carries out, including helping to further the education of promising coaches from the region.
- Albanian striker Besart Berisha is one of the club's top stars. The 31-year-old has made over 100 A-League appearances, scoring more than 70 goals. Like all his Victory teammates, he is currently striving to regain his sharpness in pre-season as he looks to continue this prolific form in the coming campaign, which runs from the beginning of October to the third week of April.
© LALIGA - 2016
