Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic surprised by A-Leagues rule change
Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic was caught off-guard by a midweek rule change dropping his side from the top of the table but says it won’t affect how Victory approaches the rest of the A-League Men’s season.
The undefeated Victory moved to first place with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Adelaide United on Saturday but were bizarrely demoted to second on Monday as the APL revealed it had changed the rules determining ladder position at the start of the season – without any announcement at the time.
Victory (five wins, five draws) was equal with Wellington Phoenix (six wins, two draws) on 20 points after round 10 and on Monday morning was listed in top spot on the official league table due to their superior goal difference.
But by the afternoon the two sides had switched positions as the APL confirmed total wins were now the first determinant of ladder position ahead of goal difference when teams were on equal points.
The new order, which is not used in any of Europe’s top leagues but is in the American MLS, will also take effect in the A-League Women’s competition.
The change will mean a 1-0 win could carry as much importance for a team contending for a finals spot as a 10-0 win in the latter half of the season, but Popovic said it wouldn’t impact how his side would play.
Victory can move to outright first with an away win over Perth Glory on Saturday night after Wellington drew with Adelaide on Thursday.
“To be honest, I haven’t thought about it too much, it’s still a little bit raw,” Popovic said.
“I probably find it a bit strange that goal difference isn’t the first determining criteria, and maybe following that could be whether it’s goal scored, whether it’s wins, whether it’s head-to-head.
Adama Traore has passed the A-Leagues concussion protocols and can play in Perth after he was knocked out in the Melbourne Derby in round 9. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images
“But look, that’s a decision they’ve made, and it doesn’t change where we are at the moment – undefeated, we’re in a good position and we go into this tough period of away games … and we have an opportunity to win and possibly be on top of the table.”
Popovic said left-back Adama Traore would be fit to play in Perth as Victory prepares for a gruelling fortnight of travel, with games away to Central Coast and Wellington after the WA trip.
The coach remained coy on how he would replace league topscorer Bruno Fornaroli, who has joined the Socceroos squad in Abu Dhabi ahead of this month’s Asian Cup.
“We’ve got a few options, you’ll see (on Saturday), but we’ve I wouldn’t necessarily say have tried so many different things this week,” he said.
“We’ve been constantly putting players in different positions throughout the pre-season and season in anticipation there could be an injury or suspension.
“It’s come up in a different way with a Socceroos call-up for Bruno, but we feel we have good alternatives and good options in that area.”
SOURCE: NEWS.COM
