Melbourne Victory Men secured an emphatic 5-3 comeback win over Adelaide United
Returning back to action after a week of international football, four changes were made to Arthur Diles’ side that was defeated in Western Sydney.
Lachlan Jackson, Fabian Monge, Zinèdine Machach and Joshua Inserra were all promoted to the starting XI – with Inserra making his Isuzu Ute A-League starting debut for a big clash against the Original Rivals.
The game started fast, with both teams pushing to control the affair at AAMI Park.
Nishan Velupillay almost headed in an excellent Reno Piscopo corner delivery within three minutes, while Kasey Bos pulled off an impressive lunging block to deny the visitors a goal in the eighth minute.
However, the Reds would ultimately strike first through Jonny Yull’s thumping edge-of-the-box effort that rippled the back of the net in the 12th minute.
While disappointed to concede first, Victory did not let their heads drop as they sought to find a response.
Some excellent central linkup play between Zinèdine Machach and Nishan Velupillay saw Daniel Arzani released down the right wing, isolated with Ryan Kitto.
Utilising his speed, Arzani burst past the defender and finished well into the bottom left corner to equalise for the Vuck in the 29th minute.
The Navy Blue momentum continued for the remainder of the half, pushing for the lead.
Bruno Fornaroli was stopped well by Delianov in the 37th minute, but the Reds’ goalkeeper could not do much to stop Victory minutes later.
Zinèdine Machach played an excellent ball in between two Reds defenders, slipping through Nishan Velupillay on the edge of the box.
Fresh from scoring twice for the Socceroos, Velupillay slotted a clever effort between a pair of legs and straight into the bottom corner – catching Delianov off guard in goals.
It was an excellent way to end the half for the Vuck, preparing for a big second 45 minutes to come next.
Brendan Hamill slotted into the backline following the half-time break, while the Reds looked rejuvenated after making a double change.
A quick move down the right wing saw Ethan Alagich cut back the ball to the oncoming Archie Goodwin, who brought the score back level with his header.
The momentum had swung back to the Reds, who not long after climbed back into the lead.
After the ball struck a stray arm in Victory’s penalty area, a spot-kick was awarded and converted by Zach Clough.
Arthur Diles called upon the returning Olyroo Jordi Valadon on the hour mark as Victory fought vigilantly for a reply.
Not long after, a smart ball played down the wing by Joshua Inserra forced Panagiotis Kikianis into a dangerous contest with Daniel Arzani in the box.
While the referee initially continued play, a VAR review saw a penalty kick awarded to Victory.
Following contention around who would take the penalty, Arzani stepped up after earning the call and converted from the spot exceptionally well in a high-pressure situation.
With the game once again brought back level, Victory felt they could go for all three points as the game entered the final stages.
Alex Badolato, Nikos Vergos and Josh Rawlins were introduced as the game quickly approached the final minutes with tensions high.
Picking up the ball deep in the half, Nishan Velupillay went on a driving run into the final third – drawing in defenders with his frightening speed.
Releasing Josh Rawlins in space down the right, the 20-year-old defender’s cut-back perfectly found Nikos Vergos, who made no mistake with his finish – both subs linking up just three minutes after entering the game.
Despite scoring the go-ahead goal, Victory simply did not stop there.
Flying through the Reds’ defence and travelling into the acres of space, Velupillay played through Vergos once more with space in the box for a shot.
As the stadium all momentarily held their breath as Vergos’ left foot swung towards the ball, a release of pure bliss for Vuck fans filled the air as the Greek number nine sealed the win.
It was a truly thrilling game of football inspired by non-stop belief and effort from Victory who pushed for the win, pleasing head coach Arthur Diles.
“Outstanding win tonight. The performance for the most part was really good tonight.
“You go down, you go up, you go down again and then you come out and win; that’s character there… I couldn’t be any prouder.”
The nature of ‘going for the kill’ was a particular factor that Diles noted he was happy with.
“That’s a killer instinct. You go up towards the end of the game and you don’t stop.
“To score that fifth and then have another one cleared off the line, you know, that’s the killer instinct that I want to see in this team and that’s what represents this club. It’s a big club and we expect that.”
After a bye round, Melbourne Victory will travel across the Tasman to face the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, April 12.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 24
Melbourne Victory 5 (Arzani 29′, 71′, Velupillay 39′, Vergos 88′, 90′)
Adelaide United 3 (Yull 12′, Goodwin 47′, Clough 56′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinèdine MACHACH, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 18. Fabian MONGE, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL (46′), 9. Nikos VERGOS, 14. Jordi VALADON (62′), 19. Jing REEC, 22. Josh RAWLINS, 23. Alex BADOLATO (75′)
Adelaide United Starting XI: 1. James DELIANOV (GK), 3. Bart VRIENDS, 6. Stefan MAUK, 7. Ryan KITTO, 12. Jonny YULL, 14. Jay BARNETT, 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 26. Archie GOODWIN, 42. Austin AYOUBI, 51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 55. Ethan ALAGICH
Substitutes: 40. Ethan COX (GK), 8. ISAÍAS (46′), 9. Luka JOVANOVIC (76′), 10. Zach CLOUGH (46′), 17. Ben FOLAMI, 21. Javi LÓPEZ, 44. Ryan WHITE
