Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League 2016 to commence next week, the-afc.com invites you to look at one of the competition's key players, Besart Berisha of Melbourne Victory.
KEY PLAYER: BESART BERISHA – Melbourne Victory
AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 6
Goals: 2
PROFILE
Widely regarded as one of the best imports to have graced the A-League, the Albanian hitman has fairly plundered goals since his arrival down under in mid-2011.
His two and a half seasons with Brisbane Roar saw him notch 48 goals in 76 appearances including a brace in the 2011/12 Grand Final and he also scored in the decisive match when the Roar lifted another league title two seasons later.
In between he became the first Albanian to score in both the AFC and UEFA Champions Leagues when he found the back of the net against FC Tokyo in mid-2012.
A switch to Melbourne Victory at the start of the 2014 season saw the goals continue to flow. Netting better than a goal every two matches last term, and almost one a game this time around, Berisha is the focal point of Kevin Muscat’s dynamic side.
IMPORTANCE TO THE TEAM
With an inextinguishable mentality that doesn’t know a lost cause it’s the work Berisha does off the ball as much as what he does with it that makes him close to the complete forward.
Forever hassling and harrying opposing defenders he swoops on the slightest mistake to win possession and then goes about showing just how clinical he is in front of goal.
ONES TO WATCH
French-born former Stuttgart defender Matthieu Delpierre is the rock at the back of a defence that also features the exciting young Australian, Jason Geria, whilst further forward electric New Zealand winger Kosta Barbarouses is one of the main supply lines for Berisha.
Photo: Melbourne Victory