The spoils were shared in the Melbourne Derby for the second time this A-League Men’s season in another action-packed contest.
Both teams led at different stages across a dramatic 90 minutes that featured several contentious refereeing decisions, but ultimately, the points were split in a 2-2 draw.
Team News
City’s injury concerns continue gradually easing, with Aurelio Vidmar welcoming three key players back into the squad – all of whom slotted straight into the starting XI.
Samuel Souprayen returned in defence alongside Germán Ferreyra, while Kai Trewin, usually Souprayen’s partner at centre-back, stepped into defensive midfield to cover for the injured Steven Ugarkovic.
Andreas Kuen was also named in midfield for his first appearance since Round 12, with last week’s goalscorer, Lawrence Wong, moving to the bench.
Starting XI: 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 27. Kai TREWIN, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 30. Andreas KUEN, 23. Marco TILIO, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 17. Max CAPUTO.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 2. Callum TALBOT, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 41. Lawrence WONG, 50. Mikey GHOSSAINI.
What happened?
The Derby couldn’t have started any better for City, with Marco Tilio lashing home the opener just over four minutes in.
Max Caputo delivered a dangerous ball into the box, which Mat Leckie cleverly let run past him, allowing his younger Socceroos teammate to fire home a brilliant finish.
City dominated the opening half-hour, piling on the pressure and coming close to a second goal. Caputo and Kavian Rahmani forced strong saves from Mitch Langerak, while Leckie was at the heart of nearly every attacking move.
Victory eventually grew into the contest and gained momentum late in the first half, winning – and converting – a penalty just before the break to level the scores.
The second half began in much the same fashion, with Victory finding the net early to take the lead for the first time on the night.
With the momentum firmly in Victory’s favour, City’s back four – Nathaniel Atkinson, Souprayen, Ferreyra, and captain Aziz Behich – held strong to ensure the deficit remained just one goal.
After weathering the Victory storm, City regained a foothold around the hour mark.
Tensions flared throughout the half, particularly in clashes involving Kuen and Victory captain Roderick Miranda, but both players escaped with only yellow cards.
Tilio and substitute Harry Politidis both went agonisingly close to equalising before the breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute.
Behich, continuing another impressive performance as captain, surged forward and won a penalty after being fouled by Miranda – who somehow avoided a second yellow card.
Despite this being City’s first penalty of the season, it was Trewin who stepped up to take it. The usual centre-back showed remarkable composure, calmly slotting his effort straight down the middle to make it 2-2.
The final 20 minutes – extended significantly due to stoppage time – saw chances at both ends, but City had the better opportunities to snatch a winner.
In the 90th minute, substitute Callum Talbot nearly found the back of the net after bringing down a lovely ball from Politidis, but his shot agonisingly rolled across the face of goal.
The last chance of the match came in the 95th minute when Wong received a pass from Politidis with his back to goal, swivelled, and fired a shot just wide of the post – narrowly missing Talbot at the back post as well.
What’s next?
City heads across the ditch for our next fixture, facing Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium next Friday evening.
