Melbourne Victory suffered a narrow loss at the hands of the Newcastle Jets in its latest pre-season friendly against Hyundai A-League opposition.
Melbourne Victory suffered a narrow loss at the hands of the Newcastle Jets in its latest pre-season friendly against Hyundai A-League opposition.
Despite having the majority of possession and more chances, it was the Jets who left a soggy AAMI Park with pre-season honours as James Virgili’s penalty was the only thing separating the two sides.
Press play on the video above to see the highlights from the pre-season clash and hear Ange Postecoglou’s thoughts on the match.
In a fiery clash behind closed doors, it was the home side who had the first sight on goal within the opening minutes.
Mitch Nichols was able to force a turnover after a turnover deep in the Newcastle attacking third, but Mark Birighitti, the Jets’ ‘keeper, was able to stand tall and stop the stop from the 24-year-old from opening the scoring.
One of the biggest talking points from the match will be marquee man Emile Heskey’s knee injury, which forced him from the pitch early in the first half after a challenge from Victory defender Nick Ansell in the middle of the pitch.
Victory dominated throughout the opening half, thanks to some sharp work from Nichols, Connor Pain and Kosta Barbarouses, who all looked threatening in the attacking third, but all were unable to find the back of the net.
Newcastle edged in front early in the second half, after Adrian Leijer was ruled to have fouled inside the area. Virgili sent his penalty to the right of a diving Nathan Coe, scoring what would ultimately be the only goal of the match.
It was the first competitive match for New Zealand international, Barbarouses, who showed plenty of promise on the wings and linked well with former Brisbane teammate, Nichols on several occasions.
Captain Mark Milligan, who wore the armband for the first time following Tuesday’s announcement, also looked sharp in his first hit-out in club colours this pre-season.
Victory Coach Ange Postecoglou said he was happy with his side’s efforts, despite the 1-0 loss.
“I was pretty pleased with the performance,”Postecoglou said.
“We played some decent football, worked really hard and got something out of it physically. It shows we are on the right track and I’ve got no doubt come the first round, we’ll be right. It was a good hit-out for us.”
Melbourne Victory’s attention now turns to its pre-season trip to Tasmania, where they will take on reigning Hyundai A-League premiers, Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday, September 29.
