bulldogmariner
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Tom Pondeljak hoping for third time lucky as Melbourne chase title
By John Salvado
February 17, 2009 TOM Pondeljak is hoping it will be a case of third time lucky in the A-League grand final.
After playing in the Central Coast Mariners teams that lost the 2005-06 and 2007-08 deciders, the 33-year-old made the move south to join the Victory.
His improvement throughout the current season has mirrored that of his new team, which has peaked at the right time as evidenced by the 6-0 aggregate victory over Adelaide United in the major semi-final.
Pondeljak won a couple of championships during a decade-long stint in the old national soccer league.
Now he wants to taste the ultimate success in the February 28 grand final against the winner of Saturday's preliminary final between Adelaide and Queensland Roar.
I think we've got as good an opportunity this year as any,'' Pondeljak said.
We've given ourselves every opportunity, we've got ourselves into a grand final.
I've been in the last couple of losing grand finals and I don't want to repeat those emotions.
Hopefully this time around I'll be on the winning team.''
Pondeljak's key role for Melbourne this season has not escaped the notice of Australian coach Pim Verbeek, who called him up for last month's Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia after a seven-year absence from the international scene.
His versatility was a major attraction for Verbeek, although it's as part of an attacking Melbourne midfield that he has made his mark under coach Ernie Merrick.
The Victory destroyed Adelaide last Saturday, with Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez scoring a goal and setting up two others, including the final one for Pondeljak in the 4-0 win.
Carlos is a very influential player when he's on his game,'' said Pondeljak.
In the last month or so he's really picked up the pace and been absolutely outstanding for us.
The options he gives the boys up front and even through the midfield are second to none.
We're just very glad that Carlos is fit and he's firing.''
AAP
By John Salvado
February 17, 2009 TOM Pondeljak is hoping it will be a case of third time lucky in the A-League grand final.
After playing in the Central Coast Mariners teams that lost the 2005-06 and 2007-08 deciders, the 33-year-old made the move south to join the Victory.
His improvement throughout the current season has mirrored that of his new team, which has peaked at the right time as evidenced by the 6-0 aggregate victory over Adelaide United in the major semi-final.
Pondeljak won a couple of championships during a decade-long stint in the old national soccer league.
Now he wants to taste the ultimate success in the February 28 grand final against the winner of Saturday's preliminary final between Adelaide and Queensland Roar.
I think we've got as good an opportunity this year as any,'' Pondeljak said.
We've given ourselves every opportunity, we've got ourselves into a grand final.
I've been in the last couple of losing grand finals and I don't want to repeat those emotions.
Hopefully this time around I'll be on the winning team.''
Pondeljak's key role for Melbourne this season has not escaped the notice of Australian coach Pim Verbeek, who called him up for last month's Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia after a seven-year absence from the international scene.
His versatility was a major attraction for Verbeek, although it's as part of an attacking Melbourne midfield that he has made his mark under coach Ernie Merrick.
The Victory destroyed Adelaide last Saturday, with Costa Rican international Carlos Hernandez scoring a goal and setting up two others, including the final one for Pondeljak in the 4-0 win.
Carlos is a very influential player when he's on his game,'' said Pondeljak.
In the last month or so he's really picked up the pace and been absolutely outstanding for us.
The options he gives the boys up front and even through the midfield are second to none.
We're just very glad that Carlos is fit and he's firing.''
AAP
) but moreso now because of the Tommy factor.
