Victory Men dramatically snatched a late draw against Brisbane Roar.
Arthur Diles made just one change to his Melbourne Derby starting XI, returning Brendan Hamill into the backline at Suncorp Stadium.
Conditions weren’t easy for Victory in the Brisbane heat, travelling up north for an important fixture against the Roar.
Victory kicked off strong, almost stunning Brisbane early after Jordi Valadon struck the post in the sixth minute.
However, the home side began to grow into the game and particularly threatened Victory’s defense in transitional moments.
Young attacker Nathan Amantidis found himself through on goal and managed to round Mitch Langerak, but a timely clearance from Josh Rawlins momentarily spared Victory’s blushes.
Disappointingly, Brisbane shortly after opened the scoring through Henry Hore, who weaved his way into the box and finished superbly in the 20th minute.
Victory managed a few minor chances across the remainder of the first 45, notably with Ryan Teague forcing a strong save from Matt Acton in the final minutes of the half.
The Roar continued their quick counter-attacking play in the second half, finding chances through Ben Halloran and Nathan Amanatidis that were ruled offside and saved respectively.
While Victory held over two-thirds of possession in the second 45, the deep-sitting opposing side proved difficult to penetrate.
Promising chances arose through moments of class by Santos and Reno Piscopo, yet Victory could not seem to find a way through.
Arthur Diles called upon Nishan Velupillay, Bruno Fornaroli, Lachlan Jackson, Daniel Arzani and Fabian Monge as the half progressed – posing differing skillsets and threats to Brisbane who searched to grind out a win.
Just as the home side thought they out-lasted Victory, up-stepped Kasey Bos with a vital equaliser in the dying moments.
The 20-year-old attacking fullback pounced on Ryan Teague’s deflected strike, forcing the ball into the back of the net in the seventh minute of additional time and scoring his first-ever Isuzu Ute A-League goal.
While it was a tough day at the office for Victory who were hardly at their best performance-wise, securing a point ensures the Vuck will remain in the top six heading into Round 22.
Melbourne Victory return to AAMI Park for their next game, taking on the Central Coast Mariners on Saturday, March 8.
Tickets are available via Ticketek.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 21
Brisbane Roar 1 (Hore 20′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Bos 90+7′)
Brisbane Roar Starting XI: 29. Matt ACTON (GK), 6. Austin LUDWIK, 11. Asumah ABUBAKAR, 13. Henry HORE, 15. Hosine BILITY, 17. Nathan AMANATIDIS, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay O’SHEA (C), 35. Louis ZABALA
Substitutes: 1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 10. Florin BERENGUER, 14. Pearson KASAWAYA (85′), 18. Jacob BRAZETE, 19. Jack HINGERT (69′), 27. Ben HALLORAN (46′), 43. Adam ZIMARINO (53′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 8. Zinèdine MACHACH, 9. Nikos VERGOS, 11. SANTOS, 14. Jordi VALADON, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 3. Adama TRAORE, 4. Lachlan JACKSON (72′), 7. Daniel ARZANI (78′), 10. Bruno FORNAROLI (72′), 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (59′), 18. Fabian MONGE (78′)
