Melbourne Victory Men share a point with Melbourne City in a thrilling Derby clash at AAMI Park.
Arthur Diles made two changes to his victorious XI against Wellington Phoenix; bringing Kasey Bos back into the starting lineup and providing a Victory debut for new signing Lachlan Jackson.
AAMI Park was jumping despite the humid conditions, with the crowd creating an electric atmosphere to kick off a crucial Melbourne Derby.
It unfortunately began horribly wrong for Victory, conceding to the visitors in the fifth minute after Marco Tilio volleyed his effort into the bottom corner.
This was a shock early on in the game, but Victory carried on and fought for a reply.
Santos attempted an audacious bicycle kick that was blocked out for a corner. VAR debated a potential handball from Nathaniel Atkinson, ultimately opting to resume play.
City’s pressure continued in the opening stanza, peppering shots on target that forced crucial saves from Mitch Langerak.
However, Victory pushed for an equaliser deep into the half following a contentious yellow card brandished to Kai Trewin.
An attack in the fifth minute of additional time saw Nikos Vergos brought down by Germán Ferreyra in the penalty area.
Called over by VAR, the referee pointed to the spot to the delight of the home crowd.
Zinedine Machach stepped up to the spot and sent Patrick Beach the wrong way, scoring a much-needed equaliser heading into the halftime break.
Victory utilised the momentum straight into the second 45, scoring within just three minutes.
Some excellent interplay down the right wing between Jordi Valadon and Santos found the Brazilian winger through on goal – who finished expertly into the back of the net.
“The composure from Jordi Valadon, not just to play first-time, but just to turn inside the box and play that pass – that’s high-level stuff from Valadon and the finish was outstanding as well,” Arthur Diles said on the goal post-game.
Santos pulled off his trademark backflips in front of the North End, sending the Vuck faithful into raptures.
Victory were keen to build dominance in the game, holding territorial dominance and almost finding a third following an outside-the-box strike from Santos.
However, a late challenge in the box saw Melbourne City awarded a penalty in the 68th minute.
Kai Trewin converted his spot-kick and brought City back level heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation time.
Substitutes were introduced into the game to provide energy in the heat as both sides fought for a winner, notably with Victory winning a corner with the last kick of the game.
Neither team could find a final goal and the whistle was blown on a 2-2 draw – a result Arthur Diles accepted on the balance of chances post-game.
“It’s probably a fair result for both teams.
“Conditions weren’t easy for those players, it was very hot out there and I think considering that, they put in a very good shift and they fought til the end; they kept going.
“They weren’t content with the draw, they wanted more… in the end, we didn’t get the three points but the draw was the draw. We would’ve liked to send our fans who filled the stadium home as winners, but it just wasn’t to be tonight.”
In securing a point from the game, Victory maintain their third position on the Isuzu Ute A-League ladder.
Victory will head back on the road for their upcoming game, travelling to Queensland to face Brisbane Roar on Saturday, March 1.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 20
Melbourne Victory 2 (Machach 45+7′, Santos 48′)
Melbourne City 2 (Tilio 5′, Trewin 70′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 8. Zinèdine MACHACH, 9. Nikos VERGOS, 11. SANTOS, 14. Jordi VALADON, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 3. Adama TRAORE (86′), 7. Daniel ARZANI (65′), 10. Bruno FORNAROLI (65′), 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (86′), 18. Fabian MONGE (80′), 34. Kayne RAZMOVSKI
Melbourne City Starting XI: 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 7. Mathew LECKIE, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 17. Max CAPUTO, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 23. Marco TILIO, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 47. Kavian RAHMANI
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 2. Callum TALBOT (86′), 19. Zane SCHREIBER (60′), 38. Harry POLITIDIS (60′), 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 41. Lawrence WONG (76′), 50. Mikey GHOSSAINI
