It would be a dominant display from the Melbourne Victory, though they’d no reward for effort, sharing points with Perth Glory in a scoreless draw at AAMI Park.
Starting with the intent to defend, the Victory would quickly change tact, throwing caution to the wind, needing all three-points to keep their finals hopes alive. Though barraging in attack, a lack of end product means they’re still lingering at the bottom of the table.
With the contest played on a torn up pitch in slippery conditions, the Victory adapted best to the conditions, playing some of the most free flowing football they produced all season. On top of the Glory throughout the afternoon, they’d be unable to get any reward for effort with the Glory’s back back doing their best to keep the home side at bay.
The deadlock looked set to be broken inside 15 minutes with Cadete puts dangerous low cross to the far post where Bruce Kamau was waiting unmarked, Jack Clisby spoiling the party, coming to the rescue the with the intercept to ensure the scores remained locked at 0-0.
The Victory would go close again minutes later, Fernando Romero’s shot on goal hit the woodwork allowing Glory’s Cameron Cook to make the save.
With signs looking ominous for the Glory early, the bad omens would continue with winger Jacob Muir being subbed out 10 minutes from half time coming off worse for ware after being struck by the ball.
The Victory would come close again before half time, Damien De Silva header from the incoming corner just wide of the target.
After a scoreless opening half and having been on the back foot throughout the contest, the Glory got their first decent look at goal an hour in. Jacob Dowse was played in near the goal line, though would be unable to push it over the line, De Silva coming late for the deflection and copping a kick to the knee for his troubles.
The Victory would continue to pepper the goals, and would be almost made to pay when the Glory twice threatened to take the lead inside the final 10 minutes and steal the game. First Luke Bodnar would come close to breaking the deadlock with his header, Paul Izzo up to the challenge tipping it over the crossbar with Adam Taggart’s diving header bouncing just wide of the goal moments later.
A late corner and and an appeal for a penalty for the Victory would come to nothing, they’d come away with a result which doesn’t help their finals chances. Meanwhile the draw helps the Glory keep in touch with the top six, just one point adrift from the top six.
Key Takeaways
Chances go begging again for the Victory
One of the lowest scoring teams in the A-League Men’s competition this season, with just 26 goals this campaign, the issue hasn’t been the lack of opportunities they create per game, the issue is the opportunities taken per game.
Having been a frustrating trend throughout the season, it would be the same story again for the Victory against the Glory. The game was on their terms, boasting 61 per cent of possession, finishing the game with 13 shots on goal, only three would be on target.
While they’re still a mathematical chance of making the finals, needing to take all three points from their remaining fixtures is proving to be hard with the side failing to find the net again.
The scoreless draw means the Victory have now failed to score in eight of their 23 games, more often than any other team this season.
Late drama at AAMI Park
Pushing for a goal late into stoppage time, the Victory would feel hard done by not to have been awarded a penalty, with defender Jordan Elsey tripping Lleyton Brooks inside the box. Referee Daniel Elder felt there was nothing in it, awarding the corner and after being reviewed by VAR, the decision would be upheld.
It would be a controversial decision, with replays showing Brooks may have been fouled.
Though no penalty was awarded, Elder would be reaching into his pockets and handing out cards with some pushing and shoving breaking out off the play after Brooks went down. Roderick Miranda, Mark Beevers and Darryl Lachman all received yellow cards, and having been booked earlier in the day it would be an early shower for Beevers.
Glory keeps in touch of finals race
Though the point doesn’t help the Victory’s cause, the Glory etch closer to a top six spot with the draw putting them just a solitary point out of a finals spot.
Having been on the back foot for most of the game, it was a resilient defensive effort from Zadkovich’s side who saw off a barrage of attack to ensure they got something out of the game.
Having been labelled as a wooden spoon contender in the preseason, the Glory continue to exceed expectations and look enroute for a finals berth if they can continue to get points from their remaining games.
