Melbourne Victory was again held by Brisbane Roar in the Isuzu UTE A-League, drawing 1-1 on Anzac Day.
Summary
Playing less than 72 hours after a 4-1 win over Macarthur, Victory fell behind at Moreton Daily Stadium after an Alex Parsons goal.
But Brendan Hamill equalised for Victory, which extended its Club-record unbeaten league run to 13 matches despite a second draw with Brisbane in less than a fortnight.
Both teams struggled to settle in what was a scrappy opening 20 minutes in wet conditions.
Ben Folami tried to kick-start Victory, the winger’s tricky run down the left ending with a shot on target that was comfortably saved by Brisbane goalkeeper Jordan Holmes in the 26th minute.
Brisbane went close nine minutes before half-time, Henry Hore volleying a Jack Hingert pass wide.
The best chance of the first half fell to the Roar two minutes before the break, but Parsons blazed over from inside the area.
Brisbane continued to push to begin the second half, a Jay O’Shea corner seemingly coming off Tom Aldred and hitting the crossbar.
After Josh Brillante fired wide for Victory following a Chris Ikonomidis pass, Brisbane opened the scoring, Parsons drilling in from the edge of the area in the 54th minute.
Victory was growing into the encounter and Jake Brimmer had a great free-kick well saved by Holmes in the 67th minute.
But just a minute later and Victory was level, Hamill heading in a Francesco Margiotta cross from close range.
Victory had a brilliant chance to go ahead with 15 minutes remaining, but Marco Rojas was denied in a one-on-one by Holmes after a pass from Brimmer.
Scott Neville headed wide for Brisbane two minutes later before Victory goalkeeper Ivan Kelava made a great stop to deny Juan Lescano.
O’Shea put an opportunity over the crossbar for the Roar, while Holmes was needed to push away a late Stefan Nigro cross.
It was a frantic finish as both teams looked for a winner, but neither could find a decisive goal.
Key moment
What they said – Brillante
on the result…
“It’s not the result we wanted obviously, the three points would’ve been much better, but I think we did well considering we were 1-0 down. We only played two days ago so it’s tough for us, it’s a heavy pitch, lot of rain here, so I think in the end we did okay.”
on busy schedule…
“Especially this game, only playing two and a half days ago, it’s difficult, but I think it shows our strong character, I think now it’s 13 games unbeaten so we have to have that mentality going forward into the finals.”
Player in focus
An important part of Victory’s defence, Hamill delivered another key goal. The defender’s equaliser was his second in as many months after also drawing Victory level against Western United.
Implications
Victory extended its unbeaten run, but remained third on the table, behind City and Western United.
Result
Isuzu UTE A-League 2021/22 Round 16
Brisbane Roar 1 (Alex Parsons 54′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Brendan Hamill 68′)
Brisbane Roar: Holmes (gk); Trewin, Neville, Aldred (c), Hingert; Parsons (Olsen 65′), O’Shea, Akbari (Daley 81′), Hore (Lofthouse 81′); Ivanovic (Chapman 76′), Adams (Lescano 65′).
Melbourne Victory: Kelava (gk); Geria (Nigro 65′), Hamill, Roderick, Davidson; Brillante (c) (Kirdar 85′), Broxham (Marchan 65′); Ikonomidis (Rojas 65′), Brimmer, Folami; Margiotta (D’Agostino 77′).
Yellow cards: Ikonomidis 32′, Parsons 44′, Akbari 47′, Brillante 84′, O’Shea 90′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium
Next up
Victory plays its final home game of the regular season against the Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Friday night.
