Melbourne Victory has suffered a 2-0 loss in the first match of the National Youth League against Queensland Roar on Friday afternoon.
Melbourne Victory has suffered a 2-0 loss in the first match of the National Youth League against Queensland Roar on Friday afternoon.
In front of a small but vocal crowd at Green Gully Reserve, goals from Joshua McVey and Mitch Nichols gave the Roar the victory.
The Victory defence was tested early, but was up to the challenge and probably shaded the Roar in terms of possession, but failed to convert it into scoring opportunities.
The Roar were happy to sit back and counter-attack, but couldn’t find the decisive final pass.
Some brilliance from Victory striker Nathan Elasi brought the game to life in the 38th minute, the youngster’s excellent trap and volley beat Roar keeper Griffen McMaster, but unfortunately for Elasi, not the upright.
Steven Pace could have put away the rebound, but his scuffed shot went straight to McMaster.
The deadlock didn’t last long after halftime however, with substitute McVey volleying home after Mitch Nichols good work along the flank in the 48th minute.
Queensland doubled their lead 15 minutes later, after an unfortunate mishap from Victory goalkeeper Mijo Marinovic.
The keeper received the ball but rather than clearing it straight away, he tried to step around Roar midfielder Nichols and only succeeded in deflecting the ball off Nichols and into the back of the net.
Elasi nearly pulled one back for the Victory on 79 minutes. The ball fell to the striker at the back post, but his rising volley flew just inches over the bar.
Queensland were reduced to ten men late on after defender Ben Griffen was sent off after retaliating to a challenge from Melbourne forward Milos Lujic.
Melbourne coach Mehmet Durakovic was philosophical about his side’s defeat.
“Football’s a funny game isn’t it, the first half we played well, but the second half we were terrible,” Durakovic said.
“We made some mistakes, it was two mistakes, two goals and that’s it.”
