Melbourne Victory were forced to settle for a draw away to Auckland FC in Round 24 of the Isuzu UTE A-League on Saturday.
Academy graduate Franco Lino netted accurately midway through the first half at Go Media Stadium, only for this to be equalised as the rooms were calling by competition Golden Boot leader Sam Cosgrove.
An excellent steal and finish from Nishan Velupillay put Victory up again after 53 minutes. The Socceroo sustained an injury that ruled him out of the 2025 Grand Final on his last trip to Auckland, meaning there could not have been a more popular goalscorer this time around.
A brave defensive effort followed, and it took something special to peg the away side back again, a top-corner bound free kick from Lachlan Brook.
Team News
Arthur Diles made two enforced changes, with Sebastian Esposito, observing concussion protocol, and Juan Mata, recovering from elbow surgery, replaced by Jason Davidson and Matt Grimaldi.
In another swap, Charles Nduka was recalled as Nikos Vergos started on a bench that also included Oliver Dragicevic, Lachlan Jackson and Adama Traore. Santos was absent due to a family bereavement.
Match Action
There was little incident to write home about during the opening exchanges. Davidson received his sixth caution of the season for grabbing a fistful of Brook’s jersey, and Miranda headed wide the game’s first chance of note at a corner.
Then, with 23 minutes on the clock, Victory brought things to life in style. Velupillay delightfully reversed possession to Genreau in the midfield, whose industrious running had the hosts chasing shadows before Lino, charging up the left, took one touch, entered the box and converted devastatingly into the bottom corner.
Initially, Auckland’s best go at responding was by uncommon means, but almost effective. Jesse Randall’s inswinging corner, wind-assisted, had to be beaten away by Jack Warshawsky amidst a populated goalmouth scene.
Set pieces would continue to be the Black Knight’s weapon of choice as the half crawled to a conclusion, and in the fourth minute of injury time, they levelled. Cosgrove got the first contact to a long throw and was instinctive in reacting when play pinballed back to him, lashing a low shot through a forest of legs.
Half-time: Auckland FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Victory, cut by conceding on the stroke of half-time, started the second 45 pushing to make amends, and two dangerous far-post crosses required determined defending to clear up. Moments later, it took Hall and one of his telescopic legs to prevent Grimaldi from bursting into the area.
The home team’s luck would end soon after, however, as the Boys in Blue retook the lead. Velupillay pickpocketed a stuck-in-the-mud Luka Vicelich and refused to check his rearview mirror, surging clear and stroking beyond James Hilton.
But with more than 35 minutes remaining, there was plenty of work ahead. Roderick Miranda led by example, the Captain charging down Felipe Gallegos’ attempt as Steve Corica’s side probed.
Not looking to hold without offensive ambition, Diles introduced the attacking flair of Reno Piscopo, along with the injection of fresh legs into the midfield, calling on Louis D’Arrigo and Dragicevic.
Growing Auckland pressure would tell in the closing stages, and with eight minutes left of the 90, Australian Brook levelled the contest with an impressive free kick.
A frenetic finale saw both units pushing for a winner, and as well as a booking apiece in added time, Corica was sent off from the touchline.
Match Details
Auckland FC 2 (COSGROVE 45+4′, BROOK 82′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (LINO 23′, VELUPILLAY 53′)
Auckland FC starting XI: 12. James HILTON (GK), 2. Hiroki SAKAI (C), 4. Nando PIJNAKER (27. Logan ROGERSON 35′), 6. Louis VERSTRAETE (7. Cameron HOWIESON 59′), 8. Luis Felipe GALLEGOS (35. Jonty BIDOIS 87′), 9. Sam COSGROVE, 17. Callan ELLIOTT, 21. Jesse RANDALL (57. Van FITZHARRIS 59′), 23. Daniel HALL, 52. Luka VICELICH (46. James MITCHELL 87′), 77. Lachlan BROOK.
Substitutes not used: 1. Michael WOUD (GK), 18. Finn MCKENLAY.
Booking: BROOK 38′, VERSTRAETE 41′, CORICA SENT OFF 88′, BIDOIS 90+5′.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 18. Franco LINO (3. Adama TRAORE 90+2′), 8. Jordi VALADON (27. Louis D’ARRIGO 60′), 10. Denis GENREAU, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (7. Reno PISCOPO 75′), 14. Matthew GRIMALDI (29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC 74′), 23. Keegan JELACIC (4. Lachlan JACKSON 90+2′), 44. Charles NDUKA.
Substitutes not used: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 9. Nikolaos VERGOS.
Booking: DAVIDSON 11′, GENREAU 79′, JACKSON 90+7′.
Coming soon
With just two regular-season matches left to play, the home campaign concludes with Member Recognition Round at AAMI Park in just under a week.
