Melbourne derby ends in scoreless draw

Melbourne Victory hunt for a goal will continue on for another week, as their rivals Heart will be left pondering how they failed to claim all three points in yet another Etihad Stadium stalemate.

Melbourne Heart started better of the two rivals, as it took as little as four minutes for the visitors to have the first chance of the game. Livewire Alex Terra played a beautiful through ball to former Victory midfielder Mate Dugandzic who was at full stretch failed to connect well with the ball.

Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac

To the surprise of many, Heart continued to hold possession well and create problems for the Victory defence as in the 13 minute a long ball by Colosimo into the six yard box was headed by Matt Thompson to the feet of Terra who’s toe-poke was straight to the arms of Covic. In a frantic five minute spell both sides had chances to open the scoring. Firstly it was David Williams with a strike from outside the area which was straight to the arms of the Victory goalkeeper, while Victory also had their first opportunity as Thompson did well to dispense of Marrone, but his weak effort at goal was easily scooped up by Bolton.

Marquee signing Harry Kewell failed to create any spark in the opeing half, as he was easily beaten on several occasions by the Heart defence, which led to a lack of opportunities for the home faithful

On the stroke of half-time, Heart had another golden opportunity to open the scoring as Dugandzic continued his impressive game with a great through ball to Marrone, unfortunately the youngster could not scoop the ball over Covic.

The scores remained goalless at half-time.

Heart yet again started brighter of the two teams, as most of the football was played in Victory half of the ground, however the first real chance fell to the hosts as they went on the counter with Rojas sending in a delightful cross for Solorzano who failed to clearly connect with the football.

As the half wore on, Victory started to slowly gain momentum, but they were limited to half chances as the Heart defence stood firm throughout.
Heart’s first great chance of the half fell in the 77th minute to former Fury utility David Williams who shouldn’t have done better with his effort which he sent well over the bar.

In the final ten minutes, Heart had another chance to open the scoring however Williams first touch deceived him and only seconds later a Dugandzic effort was dealt with by Covic.

In the dying stages, Dugandzic provided yet another powerful strike on goal, however Covic was up to the challenge once again. As the referee blew the full-time whistle, the boos were ringing around the ground as the Victory faithful were left frustrated yet again as their side failed to threaten the Heart who deserved more than the sole point.

MV – Ante COVIC, Matthew FOSCHINI, FABIO, Petar FRANJIC, Leigh BROXHAM, Grant BREBNER, Archie THOMPSON, Marco ROJAS (Carlos HERNANDEZ 72nd min), Rodrigo VARGAS, Isaka CERNAK (Carlos SOLORZANO 46th min), Harry KEWELL. Subs not used – Matthew KEMP, Lawrence THOMAS (GK).

MH- Clint BOLTON, Michael MARRONE, Simon COLOSIMO, Matt THOMPSON (Jason HOFFMAN 72nd min), Wayne SRHOJ, Alex TERRA (MAYCON 67th min) , Jonatan GERMANO, David WILLIAMS, Aziz BEHICH, Curtis GOOD, Mate DUGANDZIC. Subs not used – Brendan HAMILL, Sebastian MATTEI (GK).

Player of the game -

3 - Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart)
2 - Simon Colosimo (Melbourne Heart)
1 - Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory)