Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory have played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their National Youth League match at Epping Stadium on Sunday.
Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory have played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their National Youth League match at Epping Stadium on Sunday.
A piece of magic from Victory signing Marvin Angulo put the home side ahead on 48 minutes before a typical poachers goal from captain Anthony Skorich after 55 minutes leveled things up for the Glory.
In what was a fast paced, end-to-end match, both sides were guilty of missing late opportunities to secure all three points, with Perth in particular knowing a win would see them go top.
But it was Angulo that sparked the Victory shortly after the break, ripping an incredible long range shot that surprised everyone, including Glory keeper Aleks Vrteski, to put Melbourne 1-0 up.
Skorich threatened to level things up on 53 minutes, forcing a low parried save from Moss and then just moments later did make it 1-1, slotting home from a corner after the ball had fallen fortuitously for him.
That set up an interesting final 30 minutes or so.
Livewire Tommy Amphlett forced a double save from Victory keeper Glen Moss on 62 minutes.
And neither Nathan Elasi-s header nor substitute Antonio La Verde-s close range backheel could clinch the victory for Melbourne late on.
Earlier the sides went into the break goalless after an entertaining first half, which saw both create good chances.
Melbourne started off impressively, looking very fluid in attack with wingers Mate Dugandzic and Aziz Behich providing plenty of run as usual.
Angulo added spice to the attack, linking up well with the wide men as well as strikers Elasi and Tedros Yabio.
On 21 minutes a ruthless shot on target from Elasi struck an unlucky Yabio square in the chest for Melbourne-s first real chance.
A minute later some tidy footwork from Angulo followed by a very neat through ball released Yabio, who could only scuff his shot at the keeper.
Late on in the half though, Perth rested back control of the match.
A great ball in from Amphlett on the wide right nearly squeezed its way through to a sliding Skorich on 38 minutes.
The Glory captain got a touch on it but Moss was happy to see it spiral over the cross bar.
Amphlett was involved again moments later when a carving diagonal ball from Ludovic Boi found him in on goal.
The Glory wide man finished well but was called for off-side.
Then just before half time a delightful through ball and attempted chip from Amphlett hit the upright.
Victory, despite pressing forward hard with the aid of a home crowd, couldn-t pierce the Glory defence for a second time after the opening two goals and were left with a share of the spoils.
Melbourne Victory 1
(Angulo 48)
Perth Glory 1
(Skorich 55)
