Melbourne Victory played out a cracking seven-goal game against Dandenong Thunder with a Puskas-worthy goal, with the Thunder coming away as winners late on.
Returning to action after a hard-fought nil-all draw with Preston Lions, Boris Seroshtan made two changes to his XI.
17-year-old Luka Didulica was promoted from the bench into the heart of the defence, while winger Alexander Houridis was provided his starting debut at the Senior NPL level.
The game began relatively quiet for both sides, feeling their way into the action at the Home of the Matildas.
Coming off a number of impressive performances in goals, Daniel Graskoski pulled off multiple top saves as the visitors threatened to open the scoring.
Just past the half-hour mark, action arose quickly in a truly outrageous four-minute period of football.
It began in stunning fashion as Luka Kolic claimed a loose ball in the box and dribbled to the byline.
Not offered clear shooting or passing options, Kolic attempted an audacious rabona effort, chipping over the Thunder goalkeeper and falling back into the net for a clear Goal of the Season contender.
While everyone in attendance was attempting to recover from a Puskas-worthy goal, a poor pass from Jamie Young was expertly intercepted by Patrick Wall, who found himself through on goal and finished calmly to double Victory’s lead.
Just a few minutes later again, the visitors responded with a goal of their own to cap off an utterly ridiculous spell of football.
Jack Mihailidis had one final chance in the half from a free-kick delivery, but had the wall deflect his attempt out for a corner.
The half-time whistle was shortly after blown on a frenzied end to the first 45.
Both sides remained unchanged at the break, but it was the visitors who came out strong to begin.
Luka Didulica was forced into a number of key defensive interventions early into the half, producing an excellent tackle in the 48th minute to put the ball out for a corner kick.
However, Dandenong would proceed to score from this set-piece delivery after the ball fell to former Bournemouth midfielder Kyle Taylor, who finished from close range.
Bringing the score back level, the game became increasingly intense as both teams felt they could go on to win the game in Bundoora.
Goalscorer Patrick Wall had a promising moment down the byline after an excellent turn of speed earned Victory a free kick and his opponent a yellow card.
Past the hour mark, Boris Seroshtan opted to introduce attackers Jordan Hoey and shortly after Daniel Lazarevski from the bench – a decision that would quickly pay off greatly.
Receiving the ball down the right wing, Jordan Hoey delivered a fine cross to Daniel Lazarevski, who produced a well-placed header into the far post with his first touch of the game.
Lazarevski’s third goal of the season helped Victory reclaim their lead just past the 70-minute mark, a big goal for his side.
The visitors sought out a response and came close not long after, with Hassan Jalloh’s curling strike rattling the post.
Jordan Hoey would almost score a goal for himself in the 82nd minute, juggling the ball into the box before unleashing a well-hit volley that skewed just wide of the goalframe.
It would be the visitors though who would score next after Sri Lankan international Wade Dekker pounced on a rebound in the box, bringing the score to 3-3 in the 84th minute.
Equalising once again, it was truly a back-and-forth affair between the two sides that seemingly could’ve finished in any way.
Austin Ganino was introduced in the dying minutes for Victory, but would ultimately be overshone by a goal to come one minute later.
A ball played out on the left wing to Jok Akuien was whipped back into the box, meeting the run of Yuki Ushida in the box who cushioned the ball home for a late winner.
Despite a corner delivery from Jordan Hoey in stoppage time being met well by Austin Ganino and Tobenna Obani’s delivery not long after deflecting out off a Dandenong player, the referee opted to blow the full-time whistle on a crazy game.
While both sides finished relatively equal on the stats sheet, it was the experienced Thunder team that managed to claim all three points.
Although Victory will certainly feel as though a draw or even win was more than achievable, there were many positives to take for the Young Vucks, who remain ninth on the NPLMVIC ladder at the conclusion of Round 11.
Melbourne Victory remain at the Home of the Matildas for their next fixture, taking on sixth-placed Hume City on Monday, May 5.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 11
Melbourne Victory 3 (Kolic 35′, Wall 37′, Lazarevski 71′)
Dandenong Thunder FC 4 (Clark 39′, Taylor 48′, Dekker 84′, Uchida 89′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 6. Kayne RAZMOVSKI (C), 8. Alexander MENELAOU, 10. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 19. Jing REEC, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 22. Patrick WALL, 26. Luka KOLIC, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 38. Alexander HOURIDIS, 46. Luka DIDULICA
Substitutes: 7. Austin GANINO (87′), 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI (70′), 14. Jesse HOEY (61′)
