Melbourne Victory has secured a point thanks to a late free-kick from Anthony Proia against Foxtel National Youth League leaders Sydney FC at Lakeside Stadium on a hot and sunny Monday afternoon.
Melbourne Victory has secured a point thanks to a late free-kick from Anthony Proia against Foxtel National Youth League leaders Sydney FC at Lakeside Stadium on a hot and sunny Monday afternoon.
Sydney twice took the lead, but Victory were able to get back on level terms on both occasions, with Proia-s late free-kick ensuring both sides would leave Lakeside with a point.
The game opened in attacking fashion with both teams looking to get the first breakthrough. Victory had their chances with Connor Pain getting himself into great positions but he couldn-t find the back of the net. Sydney on the other hand took shots from distance with abandon, getting close on numerous occasions.
The vistors got the opener through Max Burgess, who struck a powerful shot on target from thirty yards out and into the top right corner of the net.
The second half began like the first with plenty of aggressive and creative attacking football from both teams.
Victory capitalised ten minutes into the second half with Christopher Cristaldo receiving an inviting through ball from James Jeggo, before weaving his way through the defence and past the keeper to score Victory-s opener.
Sydney were undeterred and continued to press. Blake Powell was able to get on the end of a great cross and give the visitors the lead again.
The thirty-five degree heat began to take its toll on both teams with chances becoming rare in the later stages of the second half.
Victory continued to press for the equaliser though and with the fresh legs in attack, thanks to a triple substitution after the hour mark, they caused trouble for the tiring Sydney defence on numerous occasions.
A late attacking play saw a mistimed tackle from Sydney-s defence, resulting in a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
Proia took the free kick with confidence and the ball stayed low and sailed into the back of the net.
Victory was able to hold off Sydney in the final minutes of extra time to secure the draw, with Powell-s late free-kick narrowly missing the top corner in what was the last action of the match.
Melbourne Victory: Christopher Cristaldo 54-, Anthony Proia 89-
Sydney FC: Max Burgess 28′, Blake Powell 64-
Melbourne Victory: 2. Christian Cavallo, 3. Milos Ridesic, 4. James Karvelis, 6. Jordan Brown, 7. Chris Cristaldo, 8. Luc Jeggo (C), 9. Jesse Makarounas (19. Luka Prelevic 62′), 10. James Jeggo (14. Anthony Proia 62′), 11. Connor Pain (12. Anthony Duzel 62′), 15. Damien Miskulin, 20. Lawrence Thomas (GK)
Sydney FC:1. Ivan Necevski (GK), 2. Luke Clifford, 4. Jacob Tratt (C), 5. Daniel Petkovski (10. Blake Powell 45′), 6. Dylan Caton (12. Terry Antonis 58′), 8. Max Burgess, 9. Mitch Mallia, 11. Alec Urosevski, 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 16. Chris Naumoff, 18. Anthony Tomelic
