Victory, City scrap out A-League Men derby draw
Anna Harrington |
Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City are still hunting their first wins of the A-League Men season after fighting out a 1-1 derby draw.
The Victory were on track to claim their first league win under new coach Giovanni Savarese when Keegan Jelacic opened the scoring in the seventh minute.
But veteran striker Andrew Nabbout hit back in the 52nd to earn City a point in teeming rain at AAMI Park on Saturday night, leaving both Melbourne clubs winless at the start of the season.
The Victory farewelled Juan Mata, who chose not to return for this season, with last year’s Johnny Warren medallist completing a lap of honour pre-match before watching on.
The magical Spaniard would have liked what he saw when his former side, led by a wonderful passage from Charles Nduka, tore shreds through the City defence to take the lead.
Nduka controlled a Jordi Valadon long ball with his head and got past Harrison Delbridge, then played a one-two with Jelacic, who kept running forward
Nduka then cleverly cut the ball back to Jelacic, who rifled a wonderful, strike past Macklin Freke.
But from there, the Victory were largely toothless as City started to ramp up the pressure, with Socceroo and new signing Awer Mabil growing in influence throughout the game.
In the 19th minute, Jack Duncan came off his line to clear a dangerous Mabil free kick but punched the ball onto Liam Bonetig’s head, with the ball ricocheting fortuitously into the goalkeeper’s arms.
In the 28th, Mabil jinked one way then the other before dragging a shot just wide.
Shortly after, the Victory’s Denis Genreau let rip from long range but hit the ground in frustration after he skidded the shot outside the post.
Mabil continued to threaten and took a terrific touch before blasting over the bar in the 36th.
City recruit Emiliano Marcondes entered the fray for his debut at halftime and soon had a genuine influence.
Freke saved a Davidson header with his feet in the 49th minute and three minutes later, City were level.
Marcondes chipped a clever ball into the area and the Victory’s Harry Shillington attempted to shield the ball over for a goal kick.
But Medin Memeti flicked out a foot to keep the ball in play, allowing Marcondes to tee the ball up for Nabbout to toe poke home.
The Victory’s Philipp Ziereis cleared a Delbridge header off the line in the 75th minute and neither team could find another opening.
City host Sydney FC next Saturday at AAMI Park before the Victory play Central Coast there on Sunday.
AAP