Melbourne Victory has wrapped up its pre-season camp on the Gold Coast with a 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar at AJ Kelly Park in Redcliffe.
Nick D’Agostino’s first half goal gave Tony Popovic’s side a deserved lead heading into the break before the Roar leveled via a Luke Ivanovic penalty to share the spoils.
First half…
Starting XI:
Izzo
Smith
Miranda
Timotheou
Nigro
Brillante
Marchan
Wilson
Adams
D’Agostino
Folami
It was a lively start for Victory with a range of combination plays and possessional dominance to open preceedings.
Josh Brillante had the first sight on goal as the skipper found time and space on the edge on the area to tee up a shot that flew just past the upright.
The dominant play came to a head after 12 minutes as D’Agostino and George Timotheou went agonisingly close to opening the scoring.
It didn’t take long for the opener though, as the next play resulted in the opener. Stefan Nigro’s initial cross was blocked and returned back to the full-back as his second effort found a flying D’Agostino to nod home the game’s first goal.
Popovic’s side continued their first-half dominance with the combination between Ben Folami and Will Wilson causing havoc for the Roar defence however Victory would enter the break only one ahead
Second half…
Only two changes were made at the 45 with Spiranovic and Cadete coming on for Timotheou and D’Agostino at the break.
The Roar found their reply after 56 minutes following a dubious coming together inside the penalty area. Ivanovic converted from the spot to level the scores as the Roar continued to push for a result.
A fine stop from Paul Izzo kept the visitors in the match and the visitors almost snatched at the end when Chris Ikonomidis pounced on a ball inside the penalty are to force a fine stop from Macklin Freke.
It was the Roar, however who would have the final chance of the match as Charlie Austin was brought down inside the penalty area. The Roar’s star signing stepped up to the spot and chipped his effort into the arms of the sprawled Matt Acton to ensure the match would finish 1-1
Adams and Smith rounded out the result late in the second half.
Summary…
Brisbane Roar 1 (Ivanovic 56′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (D’Agostino 73′)
Next…
Victory return to Melbourne as they prepare for their last month of pre-season action. Stay tuned to our channels for further pre-season matches.
