Pre-Season Cup venues confirmed for Victory

Football Federation Australia has announced the venues for the 2006 Pre-Season Cup with the Victory booked in for matches in Melbourne, Tamworth, Inglewood and Launceston.

The Victory faces Adelaide United in round one of the tournament at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Sunday, 16th July. The team then travels to Clipsal Stadium in Inglewood for the round two clash against Perth Glory on Saturday, 22nd July.

Hyundai A-League football returns to Olympic Park on Saturday, 29th July at 3:00pm when Melbourne hosts Central Coast in round three, before taking on Newcastle in Tamworth on Saturday, 5th August at Scully Park Oval in the bonus round.

The 2006 Pre-Season Cup involves two pools of four teams. The Victory is in Pool A alongside Adelaide, the Mariners and the Glory, while Pool B comprises of the Jets, New Zealand, Queensland and Sydney.

Each team play the other teams in their pool once over the opening three rounds. The fourth match is a bonus round that features a cross over fixture against a team from the other pool, with a goal bonus points system added.

For Melbourne’s match against Newcastle, the points system will remain the same as the first three matches (three points for a win, one point for a draw, no points for a loss).

The additional goal bonus points means either side can also receive one bonus point for two goals scored by a team, two bonus points for three goals scored by a team and three bonus points for four or more goals scored by a team.

Following the bonus round, the teams will play-off for all positions in a knock-out phase over two matches with the final to be played on Sunday, 20th August.

Travel packages are now available for Victory supporters making the journey to Tasmania for the opening match against Adelaide at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
Click here for more details.

Pre-Season Cup matches

Round 1
Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United
Sunday, 16th July at 1:00pm
Aurora Stadium, Launceston, Tasmania

Round 2
Perth Glory vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 22nd July at 7:00pm (local), 9:00pm (EST)
Clipsal Stadium, Inglewood, Perth, Western Australia

Round 3
Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners
Saturday, 29th July at 3:00pm
Olympic Park, Melbourne, Victoria

Bonus Round
Newcastle Jets vs Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 5th August at 7:30pm
Scully Park Oval, Tamworth, New South Wales

In other news today;

Melbourne Victory, in conjunction with Football Federation Victoria and the Victorian Institute of Sport, will take part in an opening training session at Darebin International Sports Centre this Saturday.

The Victory will train with Ian Greener’s VIS squad in a session that will be open to all Melbourne supporters.

Victory fans will also have the opportunity to meet some of the Melbourne players following training for photos and autographs.

The 2006/07 Hyundai A-League season kicks off on August 25th against Adelaide United at Olympic Park.

Open training session

Saturday, 3rd June at 10:00am – 11:30am
Darebin International Sports Centre, 281 Darebin Road, Thornbury (Melways ref: 31 A7).