Melbourne City started 2025 in style with a commanding 2-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Friday evening.
Goals from Harry Politidis and Nathaniel Atkinson bookended a solid performance as a youthful City side rose to the occasion despite ongoing injury challenges.
Team News
After a quick turnaround from the New Year’s Eve clash in Gosford, Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar made three changes to the starting XI, one necessitated by Yonatan Cohen’s MCL injury.
Ben Mazzeo earned his first start of the season on the wing, Andreas Kuen returned from a minor foot issue, and Arion Sulemani also was back in the XI.
Starting XI: 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 2. Callum TALBOT, 27. Kai TREWIN, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC, 30. Andreas KUEN, 46. Ben MAZZEO, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 20. Arion SULEMANI.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 35. Medin MEMETI, 41. Lawrence WONG, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 50. Mikey GHOSSAINI.
What happened?
City set the tone early, with Callum Talbot testing Wellington goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi in the sixth minute with a powerful strike from outside the box.
The breakthrough came moments later from a well-executed set piece. After a short corner routine, Andreas Kuen and Aziz Behich combined, with Kuen delivering a precise cutback to Harry Politidis. The 22-year-old struck first time with his left foot, sending the ball in off the inside of the post to give City the lead.
City’s front three—Mazzeo, Sulemani, and Politidis—kept Wellington’s defence under pressure with relentless pressing, ensuring the visitors had little time to settle.
The match’s only setback from a City perspective came in the 17th minute when Kuen went down clutching his hamstring and was forced to leave the field, further depleting City’s already stretched squad.
Despite this, City maintained control of the game, dominating possession and patiently building attacks.
Both Mazzeo and Sulemani tested Oluwayemi late in the half, but their efforts from distance didn’t trouble the Phoenix keeper significantly.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with City remaining the dominant side.
Vidmar made a pair of changes in the 64th minute, introducing Kavian Rahmani and Medin Memeti to inject fresh energy into the attack.
City’s persistence paid off in the 83rd minute with a brilliantly constructed goal.
After Rahmani won the ball in midfield, Mikey Ghossaini, making his first appearance at home, picked up possession and linked with Steven Ugarkovic.
The ball eventually found its way back to Rahmani, who laid it off to Ghossaini inside the penalty area. Showing composure beyond his years, the 17-year-old delivered a clever backheel to Nathaniel Atkinson, who rifled the ball into the roof of the net to secure the win.
With the second goal in hand, City comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to claim a well-deserved three points.
What’s next?
The schedule doesn’t ease up as City prepares to host Western United at AAMI Park on Tuesday night. Be there to cheer on your City boys as they aim to make it two wins from two in 2025. Click here to get your tickets!
