Melbourne City climbed to second on the A-League Men’s table after securing a vital three points across the ditch on Friday night.
Marco Tilio continued his goal-scoring form, netting in the 51st minute to seal a hard-fought 1-0 win against Wellington Phoenix.
Team News
Following a strong performance in last weekend’s Melbourne Derby, Head Coach Aurelio Vidmar made just one change to his starting XI.
With a short turnaround and a cross-Tasman trip to manage, Mathew Leckie was rotated to the bench, making way for Zane Schreiber’s return to the midfield for his first start in over a month.
Starting XI: 33. Patrick BEACH (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 27. Kai TREWIN, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 30. Andreas KUEN, 23. Marco TILIO, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 17. Max CAPUTO.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 2. Callum TALBOT, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 38. Harry POLITIDIS, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 41. Lawrence WONG, 46. Ben MAZZEO.
What happened?
City started on the front foot, controlling possession but struggling to carve out clear-cut chances early.
Skipper Aziz Behich continued his fine form, whipping in a pinpoint cross in the 14th minute for an unlikely header from Marco Tilio, who couldn’t quite direct it on target.
Just a minute later, Tilio was at the heart of the action again, combining with Andreas Kuen to create a chance for Kavian Rahmani. However, the 18-year-old’s effort was well blocked by the Phoenix defence.
Kai Trewin, excelling once more in his defensive midfield role, nearly broke the deadlock at the half-hour mark. Rising highest from an Andreas Kuen corner, his header flashed just wide of the post.
Max Caputo had the final chance of the half deep into stoppage time, but he was just unable to latch onto a Rahmani flick-on, as the ball trickled out for a goal kick.
City came out firing in the second half and was rewarded just six minutes after the restart.
Rahmani won possession before Kuen surged forward and squared the ball across the box, allowing Tilio to expertly finish for a seventh career goal against Wellington.
With the introduction of Leckie at half-time and continued strong performances from the likes of Trewin, Behich, and Samuel Souprayen, City remained in control of the tempo.
Goalkeeper Patrick Beach produced a crucial moment in the 68th minute, making a spectacular acrobatic save to deny Corban Piper and preserve the lead.
Substitutes Harry Politidis and Ben Mazzeo both had opportunities to seal the result in stoppage time, before 17-year-old Lawrence Wong produced a moment of brilliance. The young midfielder showed strength and agility to keep the ball in play, weaving past multiple defenders before his deflected pass ended up in the back of the net—only for VAR to rule it out for offside in the buildup.
Despite the late drama, City held firm to secure an important 1-0 victory.
What’s next?
After a stretch away from home, City fans can look forward to two matches at AAMI Park in just five days!
First, we take on Macarthur next Friday night before hosting Newcastle on Wednesday, March 12 for midweek football. Click here to secure your tickets and be there when we take on the Bulls!
