Melbourne Victory Women settle for a point in a thrilling 4-4 draw with the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Victory looked to control territory to open the game at the Home of the Matildas, playing high and maintaining possession.
The Wanderers looked to apply pressure on the ball, which paid off dividends following a miscued pass at the back by Claudia Bunge that Sophie Harding intercepted and finished into the net just four minutes into the match – the perfect start for the travelling side.
Victory had a job to do in finding their way past the visitors, struggling to create clear scoring opportunities past a resolute Western Sydney defensive line.
Chances arose for Jancevski and Flannery on the wings, but they couldn’t beat Sham Khamis in the Wanderers’ net.
The opener for Victory was eventually found right on the brink of halftime. Alex Chidiac whipped in a dangerous corner into the box, met perfectly by Claudia Bunge’s leaping header that brought the Navy Blue back level.
“(Claudia) Bunge made a really uncharacteristic error, but the proof of a really good player is their ability to keep going, to keep playing well and to get down the other end and grab us a goal. She’s a fantastic character,” Jeff Hopkins said about the New Zealander post-game.
Continuing right where they left off in the first half, Ellie Wilson’s curling strike found the top right corner in the 51st minute and put Victory 2-1 up.
Just as Victory jumped in front, Sienna Saveska fired the Wanderers back into the game with a thunderous effort outside the box, bringing the scoreline to 2-2.
Jeff Hopkins called on returning Matildas’ forward, Emily Gielnik to make an impact – and an impact was indeed made.
Gielnik stormed down the right wing and delivered a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, forcing an own goal out of Gemma Ferris and putting Victory back ahead.
Victory looked to solidify their lead with some excellent leadership and defensive abilities shown by captain Kayla Morrison, spurring her team to score another goal.
Jeff Hopkins’ side continued to attack and reaped the rewards in the 87th minute. Alana Murphy fired a long-range strike that rattled the woodwork, but Alex Chidiac was in the right place at the right time to give Victory a 4-2 lead.
Just as the three points seemed all about sealed for Victory, an 89th-minute goal from substitute Talia Kapetanellis provided a last chance at a point for the Wanderers.
In the dying stages, Sophie Harding grabbed her brace and secured the draw for her side, tying the game at 4-4.
“We give them credit; they started to push a lot of bodies forward, take a number of chances. They played very direct and forced us into defending in areas which are difficult to defend in.” Jeff Hopkins said on the opposition’s comeback.
Soon after, the referee blew the whistle on a thrilling eight-goal draw at the Home of the Matildas; a disappointing result for Victory considering they were minutes away from taking all three points.
Despite the tough result to take, Jeff Hopkins ensured that the team, “won’t get their heads down.”
“A point’s a point, better than nothing at all. We’ll take it and we’ll move on.”
Victory’s Women will have a quick turnaround, jetting off to take on Brisbane Roar on January 8.
