Melbourne Victory was held to a 1-1 draw by the Wellington Phoenix in the Hyundai A-League on Sunday.
Summary
After falling behind to an Ulises Davila penalty, Victory dominated proceedings at AAMI Park, finding an equaliser through Ola Toivonen.
However, it was unable to find a winner despite its dominance in the second half, forced to settle for a point.
Wellington was awarded an early penalty after Toivonen was adjudged to have handled from a corner, Davila converting from the spot in the fifth minute.
Victory responded and went close six minutes later, Toivonen curling a 20-yard free-kick over the crossbar after Kenny Athiu was fouled.
The host continued to push, James Donachie forcing a save from Phoenix goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic after a Jakob Poulsen corner in the 14th minute.
Victory left-back Adama Traore made a brilliant block to deny Davila from inside the area, while Toivonen curled a strike wide midway through the first half.
After taking control of the contest, Victory threatened again eight minutes before half-time, Poulsen’s side-footed strike from the edge of the area well saved down low by Marinovic.
As Victory pushed to begin the second half, goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas made a good save to deny Phoenix striker David Ball on the counter-attack.
The frustration continued for Victory approaching the hour-mark, Toivonen glancing a header just wide from a beautiful Traore cross from the left.
Victory deservedly equalised in the 66th minute thanks to Toivonen’s third goal of the season.
A ball rebounding off Athiu fell to the Swedish striker in the area, Toivonen beating two defenders before finishing brilliantly into the corner.
Toivonen went close again in the 78th minute, Marinovic pushing away the striker’s shot after a cutback from Elvis Kamsoba.
Thomas made a couple of decent late saves, including keeping out a long-range effort from Alex Rufer as the spoils were shared.
Player in focus
Key moment
What they said – Poulsen
on half-time message…
“We needed to play faster, be faster on the ball, move a little bit better for each other and I think we did that very well, just unlucky not to score an extra goal and win the game.”
on Phoenix…
“We did a good job, we created a lot of chances, just missed to put them in. (A) very good game in general for us, except for the first five minutes, but for the rest I think we deserved a win big time.”
Result
Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Round 5
Melbourne Victory 1 (Ola Toivonen 66′)
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Ulises Davila 5′ pen)
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk); Roux, Donachie, Deng, Traore; Basha (Lesiotis 90+4′); Poulsen, Broxham; Athiu (Dobras 85′), Toivonen (c), Kamsoba.
Wellington Phoenix: Marinovic (gk); Payne, Taylor (c), DeVere, Cacace; McCowatt (Devlin 76′), Rufer, Steinmann, Sotirio; Ball (Waine 68′), Davila (Hudson-Wihongi 79′).
Yellow cards: Taylor 20′, Ball 32′, Broxham 45+3′, Athiu 69′, Marinovic 81′, Roux 85′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: AAMI Park
Next up
Victory makes the trip to face Sydney FC in Round 6 on Sunday, November 17.
