Returning to the Home of the Matildas, Melbourne Victory’s Senior NPL side could not come away with points on the night, defeated 2-1 by Port Melbourne.
Fresh off a stunning 5-2 win at Jack Edwards Reserve over the Oakleigh Cannons, head coach Boris Seroshtan opted to keep an unchanged starting XI in an important fixture against the Sharks.
Looking to set the tempo in the wet conditions, Victory held the majority of possession early on in Bundoora.
Chances arose for attackers Daniel Lazarevski and Patrick Wall within the opening 10 minutes, but neither were able to direct their efforts into the back of the net.
Despite Victory controlling and dictating the action, it would be the Sharks to open the scoring against the run of play just past the half-hour mark.
Swinging in a ball from wide, a kind deflection fell to the feet of top-scorer Liston Diaz, who made no mistake with the simple finish.
Seeking to respond quickly, a promising run by Alexander Houridis saw the youngster brought down on the edge of Victory’s box, earning a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Stepping up to the dead ball, winger Jordan Hoey’s attempt was unable to dip back below the crossbar.
Continuing to exploit on the counter, goalkeeper Yona Sultan was called into action to deny Diaz on a tight angle late in the half.
Both sides remained unchanged at the break, with Victory continuing to apply pressure to the visitors’ low-block defensive structure.
Captain Damien Bozinovski made an important tackle early into the half to prevent the Sharks from a shot on goal, while keeping play moving well from the back.
Peeling out to the right wing, Jack Mihailidis found Jordan Hoey with a well-weighted cross at the back post, but the volleyed effort could not be directed on target.
Attacking in constant waves, the deadlock would finally be broken by the Young Vucks in the 57th minute.
Receiving the ball on the byline, Patrick Wall skipped past two defenders and cut the ball back to Jack Mihailidis.
Attracting the interest of the Sharks defence, Mihailidis swept across a smart pass to the well-positioned Daniel Lazarevski, who was able to tap home his fifth goal of the season.
It was an excellently worked goal by the technical Young Vucks, patiently working their way through the opposition for a massive equaliser.
Gaining the momentum, Patrick Wall’s smart interception saw him draw a free-kick in a good area and a yellow card to his opposing defender.
Just past the hour mark, substitute John Radimisis was brought into action to help solidify Victory’s position in the game as a deep-lying midfielder.
However, it would be the Sharks again to take the lead seemingly out of nowhere.
While Damien Bozinovski blocked well to cover for Yona Sultan’s spill, Liston Diaz stepped up once more to fire the visitors 2-1 ahead.
Falling behind against the run of play for a second time, it was a tough one to take for Victory.
That did not stop the young group from continuing to play their positive attacking football, clawing back for a result.
Potentially challenging Luka Kolic’s outrageous rabona goal, Jack Mihailidis forced an important stop from the Sharks goalkeeper to deny him an audacious Olimpico.
Soon after, 18-year-old goalkeeper Kasper Fonsboel was provided with his Senior NPL debut.
Chances appeared for the Young Vucks, with substitute John Radimisis testing Luka Romic from distance and an excellent whipped delivery from Jordan Hoey headed narrowly over the bar by Patrick Wall.
A double substitution was made in the 82nd minute, with tricky winger James Lackay and fullback Aaron Bazenski introduced from the bench.
Lackay would immediately impact the game, earning a corner with his first action and making an excellent run down the left flank to play a good ball into the box for Jack Mihailidis.
Linking up for a well-timed one-two, Charlie Gorevski played a stunning ball over the top for Patrick Wall, but the 18-year-old wideman couldn’t quite compose himself in front of the goal.
Victory would earn several set-pieces through the work of Mihailidis and Lackay in particular in the dying stages, but the Sharks held strong in the end.
Falling just short again, it was another game decided by the fine margins that ultimately denied Victory of some crucial points in their hunt for survival in NPLM Victoria.
However, the effort and impressive display of a starting XI with an average age of 18.6 years old against well-established top-flight sides must be commended, continuing to grow and learn week-by-week.
The Young Vucks will play at the Home of the Matildas once again next week, taking on bottom-placed Melbourne Knights on Monday, June 30.
Match Details
NPL Victoria Men Round 19
Melbourne Victory 1 (Lazarevski 57′)
Port Melbourne Sharks 2 (Diaz 32′, 65′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 40. Yonathan SULTAN (GK), 2. Linus BOURKE, 4. Damien BOZINOVSKI (C), 10. Jack MIHAILIDIS, 11. Daniel LAZAREVSKI, 14. Jordan HOEY, 20. Parker WILLIAMS, 22. Patrick WALL, 28. Charlie GOREVSKI, 29. Tobenna OBANI, 38. Alexander HOURIDIS
Substitutes: 41. Kasper FONSBOEL (GK) (72′), 9. Tommaso MINUTOLI, 15. Nikolas CEVIZOVIC, 24. James LACKAY (82′), 32. Aaron BAZENSKI (82′), 36. John RADIMISIS (63′)
