Melbourne Victory Men suffered a tough 0-2 loss to Auckland FC.
Fresh off a hard-fought 3-2 win in New Zealand against Wellington Phoenix, Arthur Diles made just one change to the team.
Youngster Alex Badolato was promoted into the XI for his first start in Navy Blue since joining the club mid-season.
It was a quick start to action at AAMI Park, with former Victory midfielder Jake Brimmer rattling the upright with a cracking half-volleyed effort in the fifth minute.
Despite the early scare, Victory grew into the game and began to create chances of their own.
Using his tricky feet on the edge of the box, Daniel Arzani earned a free kick in a dangerous position right on the edge of the box.
Standing solely over the deadball, Nishan Velupillay’s whipped effort strayed narrowly wide of the post.
Victory continued to produce some exciting moments, with Socceroo winger Daniel Arzani a particular standout in the first 45 minutes.
Quick intricate build-up between the likes of Arzani, Machach and Badolato drew oohs and ahhs from the Victory faithful as they progressed through the lines, just unable to produce the finishing touches.
It was a tight first half with both sides finishing relatively even in most key statistical categories.
Both sides remained unchanged at the break, as the visitors came out flying early in the second half.
Guillermo May launched a long-range strike that whizzed past the goal frame, while Mitch Langerak produced an excellent claim as Logan Rogerson marched through on goal.
The league leaders would see reward for their work in the 53rd minute when Louis Verstraete shot from outside the box nestled into the bottom corner.
While difficult to take, Victory had over half an hour to ultimately find a response and push for a favourable result.
It almost came in the 59th minute after the ball fell to Nishan Velupillay at the back post, but Alex Paulsen had other ideas.
Nish’s attempted volley was stopped by a courageous lunging save by the Auckland goalkeeper, a key moment for his side.
Victory would continue to push, with Alex Badolato turning in the box smoothly and firing a powerful shot on goal that sailed just over the crossbar.
Arthur Diles would turn to his bench to look for the answer, introducing Bruno Fornaroli, Jing Reec and Joshua Inserra into the tense affair.
Under pressure, the Black Knights did all they could to put Victory off, with captain Hiroki Sakai entered into the book for time wasting in the 79th minute.
Pushing the ball forward for attack after attack, the visitors were seemingly always there to produce a block or clearance on Victory’s forwards.
Fresh into the game, Joshua Inserra cut onto his left foot and whipped an excellent delivery into the head of striker Nikos Vergos.
Directing his effort into the corner, Bournemouth-loanee Alex Paulsen once again produced an unbelievable diving save to keep the ball out of the net.
This stop would ultimately be the moment to help his side win the game, with the Black Knights soon after going up the other end and scoring an 89th-minute dagger.
While Victory fired three shots on target to their opponent’s two over the 90 minutes, Auckland FC came away with all three points in their hunt for the Premiers Plate.
Two games remain in the regular season for the Vuck, determined to secure a top-six position in a highly competitive race to play in the Isuzu Ute A-League Finals.
Travelling up to New South Wales, Victory Men return to action next week when they face Macarthur FC on Friday, April 25.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 27
Melbourne Victory 0
Auckland FC 2 (Verstraete 53′, May 89′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinédine MACHACH, 9. Nikos VERGOS, 14. Jordi VALADON, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 23. Alex BADOLATO, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI (74′), 16. Joshua INSERRA (81′), 18. Fabian MONGE, 19. Jing REEC (81′), 26. Luka KOLIC
Auckland FC Starting XI: 12. Alex PAULSEN (GK), 2. Hiroki SAKAI (C), 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 10. Guillermo MAY, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Felipe GALLEGOS
Substitutes: 1. Michael WOUD (GK), 5. Tommy SMITH (61′), 7. Cameron HOWIESON (44′), 9. Max MATA, 11. Marlee FRANCOIS (81′), 21. Jesse RANDALL, 25. Neyder MORENO (61′)
