Nikos Vergos’ brace gave Melbourne Victory the Original Rivalry spoils on Saturday night.
The Greek striker took full advantage of his recall, marking his first start in four Isuzu UTE A-League matches with a goal in either half.
His 24th-minute opener was the least Arthur Diles’ side deserved, given how sharply they started at AAMI Park, and they continued this charge after the restart.
With the second half not even a minute old, Vergos got himself another, and what proved to be the winner, by heading in a dangerous Juan Mata cross.
United scored a consolation through Dylan Pierias, but it was too little, too late for the South Australians to take a share of the spoils.
Team News
The Head Coach decided on three changes from last week’s stalemate away to Macarthur FC. Nishan Velupillay was handed his first start of the season on the right, as Keegan Jelacic was named on the bench, Joshua Rawlins replaced Joshua Inserra in a straight swap at right-back, and Vergos started instead of Jing Reec.
Match Action
Victory set about the visitors from the word go, and it was a player familiar with the bad blood between the two teams, Louis D’Arrigo, leading the early charge. Twice, the former Adelaide midfielder, from a shot and a climbing header, kept Joshua Smits honest between the sticks.
The Reds, wearing their purple change kit, threatened an opener too. But not only did Bart Vriend’s shot amidst a scramble at a corner get blocked, he left the field soon after nursing his hamstring.
It was, though, the hosts asking far more questions, even if the answers were still frustrating ones, as chances faded away at the final moment. In the 11th minute, it nearly came together, but Santos’ skidding effort, from a precise Mata pass, was too close to the goalkeeper.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian was getting into the right spaces repeatedly, and the next time, it paid dividends. Santos got things ticking forward, and Jordi Valadon’s low centre, via a deflection, was slid home by Vergos.
With the home crowd swept along by the team, a second goal was desperately close. Mata and Santos combined harmoniously, with the World Cup winner’s shot clearing Smits, but clanging the crossbar. His headed rebound was blocked before Velupillay volleyed a follow-up wide.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 1-0 Adelaide United
It took less than 60 seconds of the second period for Victory to double their tally, and it was that man Vergos striking again. Jason Davidson’s wonderful flighted pass picked out Mata, whose exceptional first touch was matched by a brilliant cross that was expertly headed downward and into the corner by the towering Vergos.
Momentum with them, Diles’ charges now had the confidence of a two-goal lead to supercharge the relentless work rate that had given them an edge over Adelaide from minute one.
Leading this was Mata, the Spaniard, setting the standards in brains and brawn, next teeing up Valadon, who swept an effort straight at the ‘keeper. Another big opportunity came when Vergos ran the channel and crossed invitingly for Davidson, only for his crashing volley to slice wide.
That would have certainly put the game to bed, and the adage of two-nil being a dangerous scoreline nearly came true when substitute Ben Folami won the aerial battle for Pierias’ cross. Jack Duncan, however, pulled off an outstanding save that required every inch of his rangy frame.
And it took an equally acrobatic intervention from Smits to tip over Mata’s speculative 35-yarder. Had the ingenious attempt crept in, it would have been the least his all-round display deserved.
Experiencing a busy night in Melbourne, Smits was again required, mopping up a D’Arrigo drive teed up by more determined Santos wide play.
Adelaide’s real chance to spark a comeback fell to Jonny Yull, but with both the near and far post in play, he blazed the ball wildly into the South End.
And, despite Pierias netting when Craig Goodwin’s cross was recycled by Ben Folami, the Reds’ 86th-minute conversion could not create enough traction to change the outcome.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 2 (VERGOS 24′, 46′)
Adelaide United 1 (PIERIAS 86′)
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 22. Joshua RAWLINS, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 15. Sebastian ESPOSITO, 2. Jason DAVIDSON, 8. Jordi VALADON, 27. Louis D’ARRIGO (4. Lachlan JACKSON 90+4′), 11. SANTOS (29. Oliver DRAGICEVIC 79′), 64. Juan MATA (23. Keegan JELACIC 79′), 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY (14. Matthew GRIMALDI 66′), 9. Nikos VERGOS (19. Jing REEC 79′).
Substitutes not used: 40. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 16. Joshua INSERRA.
Booking: VERGOS 48′.
Adelaide United starting XI: 22. Joshua SMITS (GK), 3. Bart VRIENDS (14. Jay BARNETT 9′), 4. Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 7. Ryan KITTO, 9. Luka JOVANOVIC (87. Anselmo DE MORAES 59′), 10. Juan MUNIZ (12. Jonny YULL 59′), 11. Craig GOODWIN (C), 19. Yaya DUKULY (17. Ben FOLAMI 59′), 20. Dylan PIERIAS, 23. Luke DUZEL (44. Ryan WHITE 78′), 55. Ethan ALAGICH.
Substitutes not used: 40. Ethan COX (GK), 36. Panashe MADANHA.
Booking: DUZEL 73′.
Coming soon
After an ‘away’ Melbourne Derby, Victory are hosts at AAMI Park for one final time in 2025. Wellington Phoenix are the visitors between Christmas and New Year, with tickets on sale now!
