Victory lose striker Mrjda to suspension

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

SYDNEY, Feb 22, 2010 (AFP) - Melbourne Victory's depleted striking stocks took another hit on Monday when on loan Nik Mrdja was banned for two matches after his red card in last week's A-League playoff win over Sydney.

Football Federation Australia's independent match review panel suspended Mrdja for elbowing Sydney FC's Shannon Cole in the head late in the first leg playoff.

Melbourne, who already have injured strikers Archie Thompson and Robbie Kruse on the sidelines, said they would review the incident before deciding whether to lodge an appeal by Tuesday's deadline.

Victory, who play Beijing Guoan in their opening AFC Champions' League match in Beijing on Tuesday, will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their A-League major semi-final in Sydney on March 7.