A game of two halves saw Melbourne City forced to settle for a share of the points against Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
After spending much of the opening 45 minutes on the back foot and producing a resolute defensive display, City emerged with far greater intent after the break. Captain Aziz Behich looked to have delivered a decisive moment in the 65th minute with a stunning solo effort, only for the Wanderers to respond from a set piece just over ten minutes later as the contest ended 1-1.
Team News
Aurelio Vidmar made three changes to his starting XI, headlined by Marcus Younis earning his first City start after finding the net in back-to-back appearances off the bench.
Nathaniel Atkinson and Andreas Kuen both returned to the lineup, joining Ryan Teague in midfield, while there was also positive news among the substitutes with Daniel Arzani named in a matchday squad for the first time since returning to the Club.
Fellow returnee Harrison Delbridge was not included, though the defender will travel with the group to Korea ahead of City’s upcoming AFC Champions League Elite clash against Ulsan HD.
Starting XI: 1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 36. Harry SHILLINGTON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 8. Ryan TEAGUE, 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 30. Andreas KUEN, 28. Marcus YOUNIS, 21. Alessandro LOPANE, 35. Medin MEMETI.
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 14. Daniel ARZANI, 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 37. Peter ANTONIOU, 41. Lawrence WONG.
What happened?
City showed early intent, pressing high and working the ball into promising areas in the opening minutes, but it was the Wanderers who would begin to pose the greater threat as the half wore on.
The hosts’ first clear chance arrived in the seventh minute when Aydan Hammond found space down the right, only for Behich to produce an outstanding last-ditch block to divert the effort behind for a corner. Soon after, City were forced into another defensive stand as Germán Ferreyra bravely put his body on the line to deny Ryan Fraser following a turnover in midfield.
Despite City enjoying spells of composure in possession, Western Sydney increasingly asserted control, firing off the opening ten shots of the match and dominating territory for large stretches. Ferreyra again stood tall midway through the half, heading clear under pressure and copping a heavy blow in the process as City absorbed wave after wave of attack.
City’s moments were limited but encouraging when they did arrive – notably late in the half. Andreas Kuen slid Younis through in the 34th minute, only for a last-ditch tackle to intervene, while a late set-piece nearly broke the deadlock when Aziz Behich’s pinpoint delivery found Samuel Souprayen at the back post, forcing a superb fingertip save from Lawrence Thomas.
Despite the Wanderers’ dominance, City’s defensive resilience ensured the sides went into the break locked at 0-0.
City emerged from halftime with far greater purpose, pinning the Wanderers deep and immediately asking questions in the final third.
Alessandro Lopane went close early, curling narrowly over after being played in by Kuen, before a frantic scramble in the 53rd minute saw Younis denied from close range and Souprayen fire just wide as City pressed for a breakthrough.
After weathering that spell, the Wanderers briefly threatened to regain momentum, but Patrick Beach was equal to Fraser’s low effort with a sharp save. Moments later, City struck.
Capitalising on a loose pass, Behich intercepted and surged forward on a trademark driving run before unleashing a superb curling strike into the top corner, giving City a deserved lead.
Daniel Arzani was introduced shortly after, making his first appearance since returning to the Club last month.
Unfortunately, our advantage proved short-lived. A set-piece in the 77th minute saw Bozhidar Kraev rise to head home the equaliser, undoing City’s hard work. Both sides pushed for a winner through six minutes of stoppage time, but neither could fashion a clear-cut opportunity as the points were ultimately shared.
What’s next?
Our focus now turns to the AFC Champions League Elite, with the squad travelling directly to South Korea for a crucial midweek clash against Ulsan HD.
We then return home for our final League Stage fixture, hosting Gangwon FC at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
