Melbourne City produced a brilliant second-half comeback to secure our first win of the A-League Men’s season, defeating Sydney FC 2-1 in Saturday evening’s Halloween Home Opener at AAMI Park.
After falling behind in the opening 45 minutes, Aurelio Vidmar’s side came out firing after the break, with half-time substitute Emiliano Marcondes making an immediate impact.
The Danish playmaker netted the equaliser just moments after entering the contest before setting up Awer Mabil for the winner, ensuring all three points stayed in Melbourne.
Team News
Aurelio Vidmar made two changes to his starting XI, including a forced change in goal with Macklin Freke sidelined due to a groin injury.
James Nieuwenhuizen came in between the sticks, while Julio Cascante slotted into the heart of defence for his first City start.
Starting XI: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 18. Julio CASCANTE, 2. Harrison DELBRIDGE, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 14. Besian KUTLESHI, 24. Kavian RAHMANI, 19. Quinn MACNICOL, 23. Medin MEMETI, 11. Awer MABIL, 15. Andrew NABBOUT.
Substitutes: 50. Jonty BENFIELD (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 10. Emiliano MARCONDES, 22. Peter ANTONIOU, 39. Roland BALLAH, 77. Takeshi KANAMORI.
What happened?
City made a positive start in front of our home fans, enjoying some promising spells of possession as we looked to take control of the contest.
Quinn MacNicol was involved early, twice finding himself in threatening positions inside the Sydney penalty area, although neither opportunity resulted in a breakthrough.
It was proving to be an evenly contested opening, with the visitors also looking dangerous at times on the counterattack.
Awer Mabil had City’s first major chance in the 26th minute, forcing Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares into a save after finding space on the left side of the box.
Just two minutes later, Mabil turned provider with a dangerous set-piece delivery, but Harrison Delbridge couldn’t quite direct his header on target.
Despite City’s promising moments, it was Sydney who struck first.
Oriola Sunday played Al Hassan Touré through on goal in the 36th minute, with the attacker making no mistake to put the visitors ahead.
City searched for a response before the break, with MacNicol coming close deep into stoppage time, heading an Aziz Behich cross narrowly wide.
It meant Vidmar’s side headed into the sheds trailing 1-0, with work to do in the second half.
And what a response it was.
Marcondes was introduced at half-time in place of Besian Kutleshi, and the Danish midfielder needed barely a minute to make his mark.
After Cascante headed the ball into the penalty area, Marcondes was perfectly positioned to meet the delivery, firing home to bring City level just moments after the restart.
It was the perfect way to open his City account, and suddenly the momentum was firmly on our side.
Nabbout almost completed the turnaround just two minutes later, rattling the upright with a header following a MacNicol cross, before Marcondes came close to a second when his header was saved by Devenish-Meares.
City were looking increasingly dangerous, and our pressure eventually paid off in the 62nd minute.
This time Marcondes turned provider, finding Mabil inside the penalty area, with the Socceroo producing a brilliant right-footed finish into the top corner to give City a 2-1 lead.
Another first goal in City colours, and a memorable moment for our newest Socceroo in front of the home faithful!
Vidmar turned to his bench shortly afterwards, introducing Mathew Leckie and Takeshi Kanamori, before Liam Bonetig and Roland Ballah also entered the contest as the second half progressed.
With Sydney pushing for an equaliser, there was still plenty of work to do defensively.
Nathaniel Atkinson produced a fantastic goal line clearance to deny Ben Garuccio, while the visitors had several further attempts without managing to trouble Nieuwenhuizen.
City continued to look dangerous at the other end too, with Kanamori forcing a save from Devenish-Meares in the 89th minute.
The boys stood firm through the closing stages to secure a memorable comeback victory and our first three points of the new campaign.
What’s next?
We’ll be looking to keep the momentum rolling when we return to AAMI Park next Saturday, hosting Western Sydney Wanderers in another blockbuster clash.
