Melbourne Victory grabbed a crucial point in an exhilarating 2-2 draw with the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Making their long-awaited return to AAMI Park, Victory started strong in front of the loud Vuck fans.
Victory controlled possession to start and chances arose for the likes of Zinedine Machach and Daniel Arzani, who were narrowly stopped from opening the scoring.
“I was really happy with the start of the match… I thought we came out with good intent, had good control of the ball.” said coach Arthur Diles on the opening stages of the game.
The Wanderers managed to progressively work their way into the game, finding moments to threaten Victory’s net on the counterattack. Significant chances fell to strikers, Brandon Borrello and Zac Sapsford who were unable to convert.
Victory came out of the first half drinks break improved, shooting on goal and earning corner kicks in front of the North Terrace.
A corner situation is what would lead to the game’s opening goal by Victory, with captain Roderick Miranda scoring his second goal of the season in a very similar fashion to his first in the Melbourne Derby.
Victory were on cloud nine and continued to attack on all fronts, notably with Bruno Fornaroli attempting an audacious strike from the halfway line that strayed just wide of Lawrence Thomas’ goals.
Just as the Navy Blue were seemingly ready to finish the first 45 minutes a goal ahead, a poor pass at the back fell to Aydan Hammond, who equalised for the Wanderers right on the brink of half-time.
Late opportunities in the half came for Victory through a Bruno Fornaroli one-on-one and a Zinedine Machach long-range missile, but the attacking pair were not able to change the 1-1 scoreline heading into the break.
The second half opened tense, with both sides pushing for control of the game.
Arthur Diles introduced Nikos Vergos and Reno Piscopo entered the game around the hour mark for Victory, bringing energy and intent to the forward line.
Jack Duncan pulled off a heroic jumping save on Marcus Antonsson’s lobbed shot in the 63rd minute, a crucial stop to keep Victory alive.
Nishan Velupillay soon after entered the clash and almost immediately spurred Victory on to scoring after an excellent tackle and release in the final third.
Just as Victory threatened, Nicolas Milanovic headed up the other end of the pitch and struck the ball sweetly into the bottom right corner, putting the Wanderers 2-1 ahead in the 76th minute.
Arthur Diles shortly after brought on Santos and Monge to the game, with the former showing off his speed which drew multiple yellow card offences from his opponents.
Entering the final stages of the game, a pressing move in the front third resulted in a turnover for the Wanderers. Nishan Velupillay struck the ball into the outstretched arm of Jack Clisby, which was adjudged to be a penalty kick following a VAR review.
22-year-old Ryan Teague stepped up to take the spot kick and made zero mistakes on his attempt, striking the ball into the top right corner and bringing the Victory back level in the 87th minute – scoring his second goal of the season in a crucial moment.
Chances fell for both sides in the final minutes of the game, with chances for Brandon Borrello and Nishan Velupillay narrowly missing the back of the net.
Arthur Diles noted this post game, stating that “we created some good chances, in the end you gotta score.”
The referee later blew his whistle on what was a truly thrilling 2-2 draw at AAMI Park, a great fightback from Victory.
“I think first half: pleasing; second half: not so pleasing. But to come back and still get a point and come from a goal down, that’s probably the most pleasing part of that second half.” reflected Arthur Diles on both halves for Victory.
Despite having the chances to win, Arthur Diles took the positives away from the game by mentioning “a point tonight puts us in second position, so that’s something to be pretty proud of.”
Melbourne Victory will return again to AAMI Park this Friday to take on Western United on January 10.
Tickets are available via Ticketek
