Melbourne City has let a two-goal lead slip after a late Wellington Phoenix fightback, a pulsating end to a 2-2 draw at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Fresh off a Melbourne Derby win eight days prior, Patrick Kisnorbo saw fit to reintroduce Taras Gomulka from off after serving his suspension, while Ufuk Talay made five changes from the side that lost to Newcastle last weekend, perhaps headlined by the return of English talisman David Ball.
The game roared to life just past the quarter of an hour mark, when a direct run from Socceroos starlet Marco Tilio gave him space to shoot, and after his goalbound effort was handballed en route by Tim Payne, Jamie Maclaren coolly converted from the spot to put Melbourne City in front.
It got better for the hosts eleven minutes before the interval, an intelligent ball from Mathew Leckie finding Tilio inside the area, who continued his impressive start to the afternoon by beating Oli Sail from close range, giving City a comfortable buffer heading into the break.
Wellington thought they had halved the deficit when Bozhidar Kraev headed home a teasing delivery from Clayton Lewis, but elation was momentary as the offside flag kept the game at 2-0.
City saw claims for a second penalty shut down after it looked as though Maclaren was brought down inside the area, but a consultation with Video Assistant Referee Kurt Ams saw referee Adam Kersey’s onfield decision upheld.
A wonderful Sam Sutton then strike halved the deficit, a sweet half-volley keeping the New Zealand club in the game as it neared a conclusion.
The goal gave Wellington a new lease of life, and a leveller which seemed inconceivable a quarter of an hour earlier came to fruition, as Kosta Barbarouses poked home past Tom Glover to earn them a point.
Thomas Lam was given his marching orders in stoppage time for a stray elbow on Barbarouses, Melbourne City’s second red card in three games.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s men climb to the summit of the A-League Men table following the victory, while Ufuk Talay’s charges remain second from bottom.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Does Tilio go?
It goes without saying there has been much conjecture about his potential inclusion in Graham Arnold’s World Cup squad, but a performance like this will do Marco Tilio’s chances no harm.
Already capped four times at senior level for his country, Tilio was at his dynamic best under the evening Melbourne skies, continuously giving the Phoenix backlines headaches throughout the duration of the clash.
The goal is sure to give the former Sydney FC man confidence too, as vindication his attacking play is accruing rewards, which will only boost his chances in the lead-up to the tournament.
Arnold is not short of options for forward-thinking, dynamic game changers, with Newcastle-bound Garang Kuol and Macarthur star Daniel Arzani impressing in the opening weekends of the A-League Men season.
Tilio is seen by many as a Socceroos star of the future, though we wait to see if he will be allowed the chance to be a Socceroos star of the present.
Multi-faceted Maclaren continues to show his worth
While there is relative speculation about his club teammate’s inclusion on the flight to Qatar, Jamie Maclaren’s plane ticket was punched a long while ago.
His goalscoring exploits continue to amaze, his successful conversion from the spot his 73rd A-Leagues goal for the club and fifth for the campaign.
His pressing throughout the game was the most impressive part to his game against Wellington, as he constantly harrowed the Phoenix back four who were unable to cope with his constant presence.
It presents a welcome headache for Graham Arnold as the opening game move ever closer, whether Maclaren will get the nod from the start against France and in tandem with who if so.
The fact the former Hibernian marksman has the ability to do more than put the ball in the net will aid his cause for selection against the reigning World Cup champions, as the Socceroos boss will have plenty of thinking to do in the regard before Australia squares off against Les Bleus.
Wellington’s late show a wonderful display of character
Alarm bells were starting to ring across the Tasman.
While a late flurry in search of an equaliser was at least a visible sign of improvement, the visitors were largely second-best throughout the game, it was set to be a disappointing trip to Victoria for the club.
Sam Sutton’s exquisite hit was a key turning point, and Barbarouses’ clever finish then gave the visitors something to take back home, completing a remarkable turnaround that may well kickstart the club’s season.
Following the Sutton strike, the tide clearly turned, with Wellington looking like the better side from their first goal right to the final whistle.
It has been a tough start to this league season for the New Zealanders, but a courageous late comeback may well be the catalyst to a potential upturn in form.
FINAL SCORE:
Melbourne City 2 (Jamie Maclaren 16m, Marco Tilio 34m)
Wellington Phoenix 2 (Sam Sutton 79m, Kosta Barbarouses 90m)
Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
