No upcoming games
Future matches are yet to be scheduled
No upcoming games
Future matches are yet to be scheduled

Please update your browser

Unfortunately you cannot view this website on the current version of your browser. Please either update your browser or use an alternative browser.

May 02, 2011   |  8:21PM AET

Foschini thriving

Foschini thriving

Matthew Foschini is seizing the opportunity to make his own name at Melbourne Victory.

Matthew Foschini is seizing the opportunity to make his own name at Melbourne Victory.

The son of former Sydney and St Kilda rover Silvio, 20-year-old Foschini has proved one of the finds of Victory’s AFC Champions League campaign.

Having struggled to command a regular first-team place under Ernie Merrick despite outstanding form at youth level, Foschini has thrived since interim coach Mehmet Durakovic took charge in March.

His composure under pressure and assured positional play at right-back was a feature of Victory’s performances against Group E leaders Tianjin Teda.

Elevated into the starting line-up for the away clash in China, Foschini played 90 minutes as Victory earned a 1-1 draw and proved one of Melbourne-s best in the 2-1 home win a fortnight later.

“Mehm’s given me my chance and hopefully I have proven to him that I’m more than capable of playing in the first team,” Foschini said.

“I played a few youth games, more than I would have liked and got to know Mehm pretty well. He’s brought in his system, he-s really transparent with the boys and it-s been a smooth transition for me.”

Foschini revealed that he had contemplated moving on in search of greater opportunity before Merrick’s departure, but the change of regime has worked out well for him personally.

“It went through my mind (to leave), the main thing I wanted to do was play A-League football,” Foschini said.

“If push came to shove and I had to leave, I probably would have. Since Mehm’s come in it’s given me and a few other boys a new chance.”

“Hopefully I can take it into the future, it’s a club I want to be part of and if I don’t have to leave I don’t want to.”