Melbourne: To Victory
Words: Sherry Philips.
Images: Sherry Phillips.
Shot on film.
No surrender.
Australian domestic football (or soccer as we regrettably call it here) isn't talked about enough on the world stage.
We are a sporting nation that excels in so many sports, but football isn't on top of the list.
Even among round-ball codes, it plays second fiddle to Australian Rules Football..
But you wouldn't think that in the Victory terrace.
These photos were taken before and during Melbourne Victory’s first semi-final leg against Auckland FC - a founding A-League club taking on a team in their debut season.
The story however, isn’t as simple as that.
On a rather chilly night in Melbourne,the club and its active support found themselves at cross-roads.
A pre-game corteo began from the historic Swan Street and ended at the steps of the Melbourne Rectangular stadium, amidst a heavy police presence.
The football match in itself however, was rather uneventful.
While loud and proud for ninety minutes, the team on the pitch couldn't muster up a shot on target for the fans who came out in numbers.
The Victory faithful now wait with their fingers crossed, ahead of the second leg in New Zealand.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
©Sherry Philips/ Terrace Edition. Melbourne Victory vs Auckland FC.
Sherry is on Instagram: @theshercasm
