It’s been nine seasons between meetings for Friday night’s combatants in the Round 2 clash at Catalina St headquarters. In the final regular season match of 2016, Alexander warmed up for the finals with an emphatic 4-0 win over Victory at Epping Stadium. Fast forward to 2025, where Round 1 saw Heidelberg Alexander go down by the odd goal in a pulsating season opener away to Melbourne Knights, with Victory sharing the points on Monday night in a 1-1 draw against Altona Magic at the Home of the Matildas.
As disappointing as the opening round result was for Alexander, there was much to like from the new look side of John Anastasiadis.
Two wonderful goals courtesy of a brilliant strike by Lesiotis & new signing Bisetto were not enough to get the points, with some poor defensive work costing the side dearly – with the new defensive lines taking time to fully develop, having lost Fetahagic preseason & missing starting keeper Sozer. Stylish midfielder Yokokawa impressed first up & there is signs the frontline will cause opposition defenses headaches, with Buach & Ngor looming as powerful options.
They host a Victory unit brimming with young talent and confidence following promotion to the NPL top flight & a first up point.
With all five winners being by the odd goal in Round 1, it may prove to be an even season. Alexander will once again look to make Olympic Village a home fortress.
The game kicks off on Friday night (February 14) at 7:30pm at Olympic Village.
