Melbourne Victory went down to Adelaide United 3-1 in the Hyundai A-League on Saturday.
Summary
Ola Toivonen scored again as the star forward cancelled out Riley McGree’s first-half opener at Coopers Stadium.
However, a Migjen Basha own goal and another strike from McGree saw the Reds to their win in Victory head coach Marco Kurz’s first game against his former club.
Brandon Lauton, 19, was lively early for Victory and the attacker almost set up Andrew Nabbout for the opener in the 14th minute.
Lauton produced a cutback for Nabbout, whose strike from inside the area was blocked, beginning a five-minute period during which there were chances at both ends.
Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas made a great save diving to his left to deny George Blackwood before later saving from James Troisi.
In between, Corey Brown almost opened the scoring, but his effort after a Leigh Broxham pass was well saved by Adelaide shot-stopper Paul Izzo.
Adelaide made the breakthrough midway through the first half, McGree tapping in after Kristian Opseth hit the post from inside the area.
Just six minutes before half-time and Thomas made a simple save after a Blackwood header from a set-piece.
After Elvis Kamsoba had an effort ruled out for a handball in the lead-up, Victory equalised through Toivonen’s 20th Hyundai A-League goal for the club.
Robbie Kruse did brilliantly down the left before crossing to the back post, where Toivonen volleyed home.
However, Adelaide restored its lead immediately as Michael Maria’s strike deflected twice – including off Basha – and past Thomas.
McGree completed his brace in the 68th minute and although Victory pushed, it was unable to find a way back into the game.
Player in focus
Key moment
What they said – Toivonen
on his message to the players…
“I think everyone has to look in the mirror after that first half. It’s not worth to play for Melbourne Victory when you play a first half like that. We need to dig deep, it’s a difficult time. It’s good that we’re going back to AAMI Park, we really need the support from the supporters and the members. It’s tough right now.”
on players returning…
“It’s not an excuse, 11 against 11 on the pitch, we should be better than that. We get 1-1 and then we get a little bit too excited I think. That’s football, but we cannot perform like we did in the first half because then we’re in trouble.”
Result
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 7
Adelaide United 3 (Riley McGree 23’/68′, Migjen Basha 63′ og)
Melbourne Victory 1 (Ola Toivonen 61′)
Adelaide United: Izzo (gk); Strain, Marrone, Jakobsen (c), Maria; Troisi, D’Arrigo, McGree; Mileusnic (Kitto 82′), Opseth, Blackwood (Toure 77′).
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk); Roux (Hoogland 64′), Donachie, Deng, Traore (Kruse 54′); Broxham, Basha; Lauton (Kamsoba 45′), Nabbout, Brown; Toivonen (c).
Yellow cards: Toivonen 4′, Strain 85′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: Coopers Stadium
Next up
Victory is back at home in Round 8, hosting Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Friday, November 29.
