With nine games remaining in the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season, Melbourne Victory will not give up hope of winning the Premiers’ Plate.
Victory, which reduced the gap between itself and Sydney FC to nine points after defeating City in the Melbourne Derby, will strive to reel in the Sky Blues as long as it is possible to do so.
Victory faces back-to-back away trips to Newcastle and Central Coast and hosts Adelaide United in Round 21, before a trip to Allianz Stadium to take on the competition leaders.
“We want to try and catch them. That’s what the goal is,” Victory head coach Kevin Muscat told RSN on Tuesday morning.
“But by no means are we complacently thinking we’ve got second place wrapped up.
“We’re going to chase them down. There’s still a lot of football to be played. We’ve got to go to Sydney and play them.
“Whatever they get from here on in they’re going to have to earn as far as I’m concerned.”
Victory climbed to within five points of Sydney after 15 rounds, but three straight losses followed to increase the gap to 11 points.
As such, Victory is aware how quickly things can change in a short period of time.
“We’re aiming for top spot. We want to win every game. We’ll concentrate on that and see where it takes us,” said Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas.
“There’s no point playing this game if you don’t have ambitions to win things. We’ll work hard every week like we do.
“We believe when we’re on top of our game we can beat anyone in this league. We don’t fear anyone.”
Victory’s game against Newcastle Jets on Saturday will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 505 from 5.00pm AEDT.
