Melbourne Victory were held to a goalless draw by Auckland FC in Round 1 of the 2025/26 Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday night.
At AAMI Park, Arthur Diles’ side went right to the last in search of a winner, but it was the two defences that came out on top in a repeat of last term’s semi-final contest.
Debutant Keegan Jelacic had Victory’s best opportunity of the season opener, forcing the Black Knight’s goalkeeper into a firm stop towards the conclusion of the opening period.
Team News
Jason Davidson resumed his story at the Club by taking the armband on his second debut as Captain, Roderick Miranda, along with Louis D’Arrigo, was a late withdrawal from the squad. There were four full Victory debuts, with Sebastian Esposito, Denis Genreau, Jelacic and Xavier Stella in from the start.
Match Action
It was a cagey opening, an output of the real respect between the two sides. Still, there was no love lost, and by the end of the first 45, both Sam Cosgrove and Louis Verstraete would be cautioned for the visitors.
Jack Duncan, beginning his second campaign at the Club, was rarely tested and was alert to an instinctive Jake Brimmer effort from the ‘D’, gathering the squirming ball at the second time of asking.
On the attack, a Denis Genreau free kick, which he won after being scythed down by Hiroki Sakai, caused confusion in the box when it was met by a Lachlan Jackson overhead kick, but the opposition did just about enough to smuggle the ball away from danger.
And it was a set piece at the other end which produced the game’s first real opportunity. Marlee Francois’ delivery was initially met by a hurtling Jake Girdwood-Reich, and as the ball diverted centrally, Jesse Randall somehow flashed it wide.
It was then, approaching the interval, the turn of Auckland to breathe a sigh of relief. Jordi Valadon picked out an unattended Jelacic at the far post, who connected cleanly on the volley only to be foiled by a well-set Michael Wood between the sticks.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Auckland FC
Rear-guard action was continuing to have the last laugh following the restart. Lachlan Brook found space out wide for Steve Corica’s men, he teed up Randall, and the net looked certain to ripple until Esposito threw his body into the line of fire to produce a fantastic block – earning the debutant the Victory faithful’s roaring approval.
The home support were further engaged midway through the second half when Diles made a double change, introducing Matt Grimaldi and Juan Mata for their first minutes in Victory colours as the hosts looked to pick the lock. But just when it appeared Nikos Vergos might pounce on a stray pass, a white shirt swept across to padlock it shut.
Jing Reec was then brought on for the closing stages, and he was able to stretch a tiring Auckland backline, with the crowd sensing a late moment of ecstasy was in the offing. Unfortunately, the final touch evaded Victory, and they had to settle for a share of the spoils against the reigning Premiers.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 0
Auckland FC 0
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 2. Jason DAVIDSON (C), Sebastian ESPOSITO, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 34. Xavier STELLA (64. Juan MATA 68′), 8. Jordi VALADON, 23. Keegan JELACIC (14. Matthew GRIMALDI 68′, 10. Denis GENREAU, 11. SANTOS, 9. Nikos VERGOS (19. Jing REEC 83′).
Substitutes not used: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 3. Adama TRAORE, 28. Kayne RAZMOVSKI, 29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC.
Booking:Â None.
Auckland FC starting XI: 1. Michael WOUD (GK), 2. Hiroki SAKAI (C), 23. Daniel HALL, 3. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 77. Lachlan BROOK (10. Guillermo MAY 68′), 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 22. Jake BRIMMER (7. Cameron HOWIESON 79′), 11. Marlee FRANCOIS (27. Logan ROGERSON 68′), 21. Jesse RANDALL, 9. Sam COSGROVE.
Substitutes not used: 20. Oliver SAIL, 14. William GILLION, 17. Calan ELLIOTT, 43. Ryan MACKAY.
Booking: COSGROVE 35, VERSTRAETE 38, FRANCOIS 53.
Referee: Daniel Elder.
Coming Soon
Victory embark on back-to-back away days in the next fortnight. They visit Newcastle Jets on Friday, October 24, kick-off 7.35pm AEDT, before a trip to Perth Glory on Friday, October 31, kick-off 9.45pm AEDT. It is then back to AAMI Park for the first derby of the 2025/26 season against Melbourne City on Saturday, November 8, kick-off 7.35pm AEDT.
