Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC's opening A-League clash for the 2011/12 season has been dealt a blow with Football Federation Australia scheduling a friendly the day prior. Saturday, October 8 was to be the date that the Victory and Sky Blues would unveil their star signings - Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton respectively - but the FFA have staged a friendly for the Australian national team to play Malaysia in Canberra on Friday the 7th.
It is highly likely that former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Emerton will be involved in the Socceroos game as it acts as a warm-up for the World Cup qualifier with Oman in Sydney four days later.
If fit, ex-Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray winger Kewell may also be involved with Holger Osieck's squad making it almost possible for the pair to back up the next day to play for their new clubs.
Victory were hoping the two big names would attract a massive opening day crowd but those expectations have been slightly dashed with at least one of the two men unlikely to be available for the fixture.
