Chinese take away 1-0 win over Victory

In a practice match last night Melbourne Victory played against the Chinese national team with the AFC Asian Cup participants recording a 1-0 win over the Hyundai A-League Champions at the Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground in Hong Kong overnight. There was absolutely no coverage of this match at all and according to some reports was lucky to go ahead at all, after second thoughts about the game from the Chinese national team. The match was played over three thirty minute thirds with temperatures reaching 30 deg and 90% humidity. It was a good result for the team considering they were missing a number of key players including Grant Brebner through injury, Archie Thompson on national duty and new signing Carlos Hernañdez due to visa problems. It was also the first hitout for new signing Kaz Patafta, who recently joined the team in Melbourne shortly before leaving for Hong Kong. Coach Ernie Merrick had also taken a number of VIS players including Steve Hatzikostas, Daniel Visevic and Matthew Theodore.

For a full match report, click here.

The team is now off to Beijing to play Tianjin Teda, in a one off match for the Lord Mayor's Cup.