Archie to lead charge against Knights

Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick has selected Archie Thompson to lead from the front in the absence of Kevin Muscat against the New Zealand Knights at North Harbour Stadium this Friday.

The Socceroo has been named as captain after Muscat was suspended for receiving his fourth yellow card of the 2006/07 Hyundai A-League season against Sydney FC last week.

Thompson, who skippered Melbourne on three occasions last season, was the hero against Victory’s arch-rivals as he scored two match-winning goals to a secure a come-from-behind win at Aussie Stadium.

The 28-year-old celebrated his birthday earlier in the week and celebrated with his brace in Sydney sending him to the top of the all-time Hyundai A-League goal scorer’s chart, equal with Muscat who has also netted 12 goals.

"He (Thompson) has been converting well, he has been closing down, he scored two terrific goals in a key match and he performs really well under pressure, so I think he'll do really well," Merrick said.

Mark Byrnes has been recalled into the 15-man squad, while it’s likely Steve Pantelidis will replace Muscat in the starting line-up, who has travelled with the team to Auckland to experience the match on the sidelines alongside Merrick and the coaching staff.

"Mark (Byrnes), like some other players, had a terrific pre-season and did really well in the tournament in Queensland," Merrick said added.

"The boys have done so well, we've won all our games except one, so Mark really hasn't had a chance, but this will be a tough encounter. He's a big, strong, tough fast player and I think that's the type of player we want to take to New Zealand."

The Victory coach is weary of the nothing to loose attitude of the Knights, who are currently sitting on the bottom of the Hyundai A-League ladder with a solitary win and one draw.

"New Zealand is only going to get stronger. At home they are going to be a tough outfit to play against. They've got nothing to lose so I am sure they are going to make life very difficult for us, like Sydney did in the first half.

"There are no easy games; the difference is having players who can finish. We've got pretty deadly strikers and that combination of Fred, Archie and Allsopp is a lethal combination and that seems to be the difference at the moment."

Melbourne will be looking to maintain its perfect record against the Knights, which has seen the club record four wins from as many matches in Hyundai A-League competition. Last time these sides met Melbourne defeated New Zealand 3-0 in atrocious conditions in Auckland.

Melbourne Victory Squad: 1. Michael Theoklitos (gk), 3. Daniel Piorkowski, 4. Mark Byrnes, 6. Steve Pantelidis, 8. Fred, 9. Daniel Allsopp, 10. Archie Thompson (capt), 12. Rodrigo Vargas, 13. Kristian Sarkies, 14. Adrian Caceres, 15. Adrian Leijer, 16. Simon Storey, 17. Grant Brebner, 18. Alessandro, 20. Eugene Galekovic (gk).

In: Mark Byrnes (promoted). Out: Kevin Muscat (suspension – 1 week).

A-League Round 10

New Zealand Knights vs Melbourne Victory
Friday Night, October 27
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Kick off: 8:00pm (local/NZDT), 5:00pm (AEST).

Live Coverage on Fox Sports One from 5pm (AEST). Radio: SEN 1116am (Melbourne) www.sen.com.au from 4pm AEST.

Tickets are available from any New Zealand Ticketmaster outlet, online through ticketmaster.co.nz or at the gate.