A controversial fixture saw the Western Sydney Wanderers take a point from reigning champions Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium with a late equaliser, after dominating possession throughout the match.
A pyrotechnic display by the travelling fans halted play early in the match, Victory capitalised on the ensuing confusion, with Besart Berisha heading home a corner in the 16th minute to open the scoring.
Victory lost winger Fahid Ben Khalfallah and midfielder Rashid Mahazi to suspension following a heated loss to Perth Glory in the west last weekend, and Olyroos defender Thomas Deng was omitted in favour of Nick Ansell.
Despite a lacklustre performance from Ben Khalfallah’s replacement Connor Pain, it did not appear to impede the Victory given the impressive recent form of Kosta Barbarouses, and Leigh Broxham covered Mahazi’s role with a minimum of fuss in his 200th appearance in navy blue.
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The Wanderers first went close to equalising in the 35th minute, with a superb header from Dario Vidosic denied by a spectacular save from Danny Vukovic.
Having missed a number of chances, the visitors left their charge late, but good luck charm Brendon Santalab equalised with a sensational strike from outside the box in the 89th minute.
Tony Popovic’s side will be disappointed not to take all three points given their dominance in possession, but will retain first place on the A-League ladder on goal difference, with Brisbane Roar breathing down their necks.
The result will also see Victory ascend to third place, surpassing Sydney FC on goal difference but trailing Melbourne City, with all three sides sitting on 28 points after 18 rounds.
Is the Etihad Stadium pitch fit to host A-League matches?
Sharing the multi-purpose stadium is nothing new for Melbourne Victory, but with Big Bash League outfit Melbourne Renegades calling the Docklands precinct home during January, the resultant damage to the pitch has raised the ire of fans and players alike. The pitch prepared for the Australia Day clash between Victory and Sydney FC was mocked for its patchy nature, but the issue came to a head early on Saturday night. Wanderers midfielder and former Victory player Mitch Nichols was hurt after appearing to trip on the section of grass where drop-in cricket pitches were recently removed.
Later in the first half, Victory defender Matthieu Delpierre appeared to hyperextend his left knee and limped off gingerly, but later returned to the field. It wasn’t clear whether the patchy turf was responsible for his scare, but questions will be asked if further injuries are sustained at the venue.
Valeri and Milligan partnership a distant memory, but Bozanic is building
With former skipper Mark Milligan now representing Baniyas SC and current captain Carl Valeri out of the side indefinitely, Victory fans have bemoaned the instability in the midfield and the effect of their absence on the form of wingers Kosta Barbarouses and Fahid Ben Khalfallah. Oliver Bozanic, signed from Luzern on a three-year contract last September, has proven a valuable acquisition for the Victory but as Milligan’s replacement, hasn’t yet won over the hearts of fans nor the minds of pundits. However, he impressed with his defensive efforts on Saturday night, and worked hard to bring Barbarouses and Connor Pain into the game. There’s still work to do for the Socceroo, but Kevin Muscat will be optimistic about what is to come.
Is this the A-League’s biggest rivalry?
The Big Blue is still fresh in the memory, and the Wanderers would likely name Sydney FC as their biggest rivals, but the hatred on display during Saturday night’s clash would get any A-League fan thinking. The visiting fans disrupted play early with a series of flares, infuriating Victory supporters and setting off a collective groan in a football community tired of these incidents being pounced upon by certain media figures. Closer to the full-time whistle, tensions boiled over on the field, with players booked following a scrap in goal. Derbies will likely take precedence over interstate clashes, particularly for the Sydney clubs, but this fixture should remain as heated and hard-fought as any in the A-League.
Outside90 Player of the Year Votes
3 – Jason Geria
2 – Danny Vukovic
1 – Brendon Santalab
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