Melbourne Victory Men just fall short away from home to top-of-the-table Adelaide United
Arthur Diles made three changes to the starting XI; promoting Josh Rawlins, Kasey Bos and Santos from the bench.
Victory started strong in front of a sold-out Coopers Stadium crowd, firing off the first four shots at goal of the game.
Santos was not far from opening the scoring in the first eight minutes, bursting through the United defence with speed and firing a strike on goal that was saved well by Ethan Cox.
Victory continued their strong start and reaped the rewards not long after.
Some excellent build-up through the middle of the park resulted in Bruno Fornaroli slotting through a pass to Ryan Teague, who made no mistake inside the box and put Victory 1-0 up with his third goal of the season.
The attacking flurry did not stop for Victory as they headed into the first half drinks break in control of the game, nearly doubling their lead through Daniel Arzani’s strike that was stopped by Adelaide’s goalkeeper.
Disappointingly for Victory, the home side returned from the drinks break much improved.
Stefan Mauk was played through over the top of the defence via an excellent lofted ball by Panagiotis Kikianis and the 29-year-old midfielder equalised for the Reds with his half-volley.
United’s momentum continued into the remainder of the half, with Jack Duncan notably pulling off a strong save on Ben Folami’s strike on target.
A late attack in the half down the right wing saw Dylan Pierias direct a ball across Victory’s box, with a wicked deflection coming off Roderick Miranda and trickling into the back of the net.
It was an unfortunate ending to the half for Victory after an excellent start to the half undone by a strong comeback from the Reds.
Determined to fight back in the second 45, Victory came out firing again in South Australia.
Santos was once again a livewire, swapping wings with Daniel Arzani and attacking from the left. He was found by Zinedine Machach inside the box and fired a shot that flew over the crossbar – an early let-off for United.
Victory continued to push for an equaliser into the final half-hour of the game, causing issues down the flanks.
Arthur Diles’ decision to swap his wingers paid dividends in the 66th minute, with an exceptional whipped ball by Daniel Arzani was met at the back post by a diving header from Santos.
The Brazilian’s header rippled the net and brought Victory back level heading into the second-half drinks break.
However, United once again found a surge in momentum following the break, coming out hunting for a winner.
It would soon come in the 71st minute, with a Yaya Dukuly cut-back met and finished off by Ethan Alagich.
It was deflecting for the Navy Blues who had over double their opponents’ expected goals, yet found themselves down 2-3.
Arthur Diles called upon his substitutes who threatened United’s scoreline and provided energy going forward.
However, Victory were unable to find the back of the net once more despite leading the game in total shots, shots on target, big chances and ball possession.
The Reds held on for the win, jumping up to the top of the Isuzu Ute A-League ladder; while Victory hold their 7th position, just two points off the top six.
Melbourne Victory now travel back home in preparation for a massive U-NITE double-header matchup with Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Friday, January 24.
Tickets are available via Ticketek.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 15
Adelaide United 3 (Mauk 31’, Miranda (o.g.) 45+1’, Alagich 71’)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Teague 18’, Santos 66’)
Adelaide United Starting XI: 40. Ethan COX (GK), 3. Bart VRIENDS, 6. Stefan MAUK, 7. Ryan KITTO (C), 10. Zach CLOUGH, 14. Jay BARNETT, 17. Ben FOLAMI, 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 26. Archie GOODWIN, 51. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 55. Ethan ALAGICH
Substitutes: 1. James DELIANOV (GK), 8. ISAIAS (79’), 9. Luka JOVANOVIC (58’), 12. Jonny YULL (79’), 19. Yaya DUKULY (58’), 42. Austin AYOUBI, 44. Ryan WHITE (88’)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 11. SANTOS, 14. Jordi VALADON, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 5. Adama TRAORE, 9. Nikos VERGOS (55’), 16. Joshua INSERRA (88’), 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (74’), 18. Fabian MONGE (88’), 19. Jing REEC (74’)
