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Followers of both sides would have gone home incredibly disappointed as both sets of players were guilty of
putting wide some great chances.
The opening exchanges were dominated by wayward passing as
both sides looked to get back into the A-League groove.
What the match lacked in excitement it more than made up for in
crash and bash as players from both sides went in with some crunching tackles
in what was a bruising encounter all evening.
Past derby matches have seen some blistering play and plenty
of goals. Not this time around as fouls were on the menu all night. Referee
Peter Green had a busy night blowing for a free-kick no less than 33 times while
reaching for the card on six occasions.
Both sides looked light in front of goal, missing their main
target men thanks to international call ups. Heart and Victory were
without Kosta Barbarouses and Michael Mifsud respectively and it certainly
showed in the stalemate.
If both players were on the park for their teams the result
of this match could have been dramatically different. Victory in particular
were crying out for a target man up front with some great lead up play by
Connor Pain in particular going without reward.
The Victory number 11 shone brightly in the first half, threatening
Heart down the left flank time after time. Life without Marco Rojas looks a
less than daunting proposition with the young Socceroos star doing his thing on
the wing.
Victory enjoyed most of the possession and will be the most disappointed
not to claim the three points in this one. Victory won the possession count with 64% of
play. Heart looked dangerous on the counter through David Williams but those
chances were few and far between.
It was an interesting night for new Heart skipper Harry
Kewell as he came up against his former employers.
A chorus of boos descended across Etihad Stadium whenever the ball went near Harry and he copped a knock to the head forcing him to receive treatment on the side while play continued in the 22nd minute.
Kewell was left sporting a less than fashionable head bandage for rest of game thanks to a wayward arm from Adrian Leijer, a far cry from his usual Politix get up.
A chorus of boos descended across Etihad Stadium whenever the ball went near Harry and he copped a knock to the head forcing him to receive treatment on the side while play continued in the 22nd minute.
Kewell was left sporting a less than fashionable head bandage for rest of game thanks to a wayward arm from Adrian Leijer, a far cry from his usual Politix get up.
Despite a lack of competitive football Kewell still
performed admirably with some neat touches and tidy passes.
There were big shouts for a handball in the second minute of
the first half which were waved away by Green despite some furious appeals
from Victory players. The ball definitely appeared to strike Patrick Kisnorbo on
the hand while blocking an Adama Traore shot on goal. Referee Peter Green has having
none of it though and pointed for a corner.
Victory manager Ange Postecoglou was left than impressed
with the performance.
“Yeah it was a frustrating night," he said.
"We didn’t get much momentum in the game.”
Postecoglou was pleased with the general play but felt his side lacked cutting edge.
“The ball was in the air too much, not aggressive enough in the front third. Would have been nice to put one in for the crowd”.
“Yeah it was a frustrating night," he said.
"We didn’t get much momentum in the game.”
Postecoglou was pleased with the general play but felt his side lacked cutting edge.
“The ball was in the air too much, not aggressive enough in the front third. Would have been nice to put one in for the crowd”.
Some in the football community would have Postecoglou taking over
the Socceroos gig but the coach was unforgiving on his own performance.
“I’m coach of the Melbourne Victory and nothing that happened today has changed that.”
“My name will be in the mix and the best person for the job should get it.”
“I’m coach of the Melbourne Victory and nothing that happened today has changed that.”
“My name will be in the mix and the best person for the job should get it.”
While not the
result Heart gaffer John Aloisi was after he will certainly take some positives from the match.
“It was a scrappy start, tactically a good game. People might see 0-0 and not a lot of chances. Priority was to get behind them. We were unlucky not to put our chances away.”
“It was a scrappy start, tactically a good game. People might see 0-0 and not a lot of chances. Priority was to get behind them. We were unlucky not to put our chances away.”
Pablo Contreas was the best for Victory on his debut for the
club. The Chilean looked assured in defence and made a great first impression. David
Williams was lively throughout the night for Heart and looked deadly going
forward.
So the wait for these two sides to open their account this
13/14 season will go on to next week as missed opportunities hampered the game.
Despite the hype and build up, Melbourne
Derby X failed to deliver.
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
1. Nathan COE (GK), 2. Pablo CONTRERAS, 3. Adama TRAORE, 6. Leigh BROXHAM(c), 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 15. Mitch NICHOLS, 16. Rashid MAHAZI, 23. Adrian LEIJER, 25. Jason GERIA
Subs. 20. Lawernce THOMAS (GK), 24. Scott GALLOWAY, 7.
Guilherme FINKLER, 4. Nick ANSELL, 13. Andrew NABBOUT
Melbourne Heart
Melbourne Heart
1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 3. Robbie WIELART, 8. Massimo MURDOCCHA, 10. Harry KEWELL (C), 14. Golgol MEBRAHTU, 15. David WILLIAMS, 16. Aziz BEHICH, 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC, 24. Patrick KISNORBO, 25. Andrea MIGLIORINI
Subs. 20. Tando VELAPHI, 6. Patrick GERHARDT, 7. Iain
RAMSEY, 22. Nick KALMAR, 28. Pablo RETRE