Melbourne Victory Men were defeated 2-4 at CommBank Stadium by the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Travelling up to Western Sydney, Arthur Diles stuck with an unchanged starting XI that secured an impressive 3-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park.
Taking on the league’s top-scoring side on red-hot form, Victory were in for a challenge against tough opposition.
Nonetheless, Victory enjoyed a great start away from home.
Straight off receiving call-ups to the Australian U23s squad, Victory’s fullback pairing of Kasey Bos and Josh Rawlins threatened the home side with their direct runs and passes into the box.
The Wanderers came close to finding the opening after Oscar Priestman smashed an effort into the crossbar, but Victory were glad to know that the linesman raised his flag for an offside regardless.
Following a lengthy delay after Kasey Bos copped a blow to the face on the brink of the half-hour mark, Victory capitalised on their good start at CommBank Stadium.
A driving run from Reno Piscopo saw the ball travel across to Nishan Velupillay, who isolated his defender and utilised his quick feet to cut inside and create space for a curling strike that fizzed into the side netting.
It was an excellent goal from the recently called-up Socceroos winger, firing in his ninth goal in all competitions.
Zac Sapsford shortly after found himself threaded through on goal with a golden chance for an almost immediate equaliser, but Mitch Langerak pulled off a trademark one-on-one save with his large frame blocking the goals.
With the Wanderers pushing hard for an equaliser, Victory soon after punished their opponents with a second goal.
Daniel Arzani’s excellent wing play created room for a dangerous cross hammered across the six-yard box, which found Reno Piscopo’s well-timed run at the back post for a tap-in.
It was a great reward for an excellent start to the game, but the Wanderers responded on the brink of halftime.
Finding space in the box to meet Jack Clisby’s corner delivery, Bozhidar Kraev placed his volleyed effort well and provided an important goal for his side.
Upon entering the second half; Adama Traore came on for Victory, while Wanderers’ top-scorer Nicolas Milanovic was brought on after serving a suspension.
Victory continued to impress early in the half, with efforts from Nishan Velupillay and Brendan Hamill cleared off the line dramatically by Wanderers’ defenders.
Entering the field on the hour mark along with Santos, Zinèdine Machach almost grabbed a third for Victory before Lawrence Thomas pulled off a remarkable diving save to deny the Frenchman.
Just one goal behind as the game entered the latter stages, the Wanderers persisted and pushed back into the game.
Brandon Borrello headed home the equaliser from an excellent whipped delivery by substitute Alex Gersbach – providing the home side with the momentum heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation time.
Mitch Langerak pulled off a number of heroic stops as Victory aimed to hold strong against the Red and Black.
His efforts in net could unfortunately only do so much, with Nicolas Milanovic firing in an unstoppable strike to put the Wanderers ahead in the 88th minute.
Falling behind with minutes to spare, Victory pushed bodies forward as they sought out a goal back – but the Wanderers had other ideas.
A rapid counter-attacking move saw Milanovic slot Marcus Antonsson through on goal, who produced a fine chip over the on-rushing Langerak to seal the three points for the home side.
That proved to be the last kick of the game, completing a strong Wanderers comeback and a fourth-straight win for Alen Stajcic’s side.
While the result and the nature of loss is certainly painful for the side who fought hard, the Vuck still thankfully find themselves placed in the top six.
Melbourne Victory will now aim to regroup and direct attention to a crucial Original Rivalry clash against Adelaide United after the international window on Saturday, March 29.
Tickets are available via Ticketek.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 23
Western Sydney Wanderers 4 (Kraev 44′, Borrello 76′, Milanovic 87′, Antonsson 90+4′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Velupillay 34′, Piscopo 41′)
Western Sydney Wanderers Starting XI: 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 2. Gabriel CLEUR, 4. Alex BONETIG, 7. Zac SAPSFORD, 18. Oscar PRIESTMAN, 19. Jack CLISBY, 21. Aydan HAMMOND, 22. Anthony PANTAZOPOULOS, 23. Bozhidar KRAEV, 25. Josh BRILLANTE, 26. Brandon BORRELLO
Substitutes: 30. Jordan HOLMES (GK), 3. Alex GERSBACH (61′), 9. Marcus ANTONSSON (61′), 13. Dean PELEKANOS, 14. Nicolas MILANOVIC (46′), 17. Jarrod CARLUCCIO (90+3′), 64. Juan MATA (86′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 10. Bruno FORNAROLI, 14. Jordi VALADON, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 27. Reno PISCOPO, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 3. Adama TRAORE (46′), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 8. Zinèdine MACHACH (61′), 9. Nikos VERGOS (73′), 11. SANTOS (61′), 18. Fabian MONGE
