Melbourne Victory played out a 0-0 draw with City in the derby at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Summary
Victory had the ball in the back of the net during the second half, but Elvis Kamsoba’s strike was ruled out for offside.
There were few chances during the opening-round Hyundai A-League clash as the teams shared the spoils.
While Victory made a good start, City created a fine opportunity in the 11th minute, Lachlan Wales shooting wide from inside the area after a Josh Brillante pass.
It was an otherwise cagey opening half-hour as both teams looked to settle in.
Victory started to build and only a last-ditch block denied Storm Roux from close range after a Jakob Poulsen corner six minutes before half-time.
Just six minutes into the second half and Victory went close again, Ola Toivonen’s long-range effort going over.
Victory thought it had an opener in the 56th minute, but Kamsoba’s fine finish was ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after Toivonen’s good pass.
Lawrence Thomas made a straightforward save to deny Craig Noone just after the hour-mark as Victory was put under some pressure.
Victory pushed late as it threatened from set-pieces, but it was unable to find a breakthrough in a fiery finish.
Player in focus
What they said – Kamsoba
on his development…
“We’ve been working on a different style that we didn’t do last season so I think I’m enjoying football a lot more this season because I’m playing as a winger and also a number 10 and last season I didn’t do that.”
on changes…
“Last season we were playing a diamond shape, this season we’re obviously playing three up front which is something I love doing, I love taking on players, tonight I didn’t do that too much but next game I’ll do that.”
Result
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 1
Melbourne Victory 0
City 0
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk); Roux, Donachie, Deng, Traore (Brown 75′); Poulsen (Basha 86′), Broxham; Nabbout, Dobras (Hope 70′), Kamsoba; Toivonen (c).
City: Bouzanis; Galloway, Good, Delbridge, Jamieson (c); Luna (Najjarine 84′), Brillante, Metcalfe; Cabrera, Wales (Najjar 70′), Noone.
Yellow cards: Brillante 23′, Jamieson 36′, Toivonen 90+5′, Delbridge 90+5′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: 33,523
Venue: Marvel Stadium
Next up
Victory is at home again in Round 2, hosting the Western Sydney Wanderers at Marvel Stadium on Friday. Get tickets here!
