Jeonbuk Motors have held Melbourne Victory to a frustrating 1-1 draw at AAMI Park in front of 11,542 people on Tuesday night.
The match ultimately proved a hard-fought tussle, with neither club able to find the deciding strike on the night. Goals from Besart Berisha and Leonardo saw the honours shared ahead of the second leg in South Korea as championship winners Matthieu Delpierre, Kosta Barbarouses and Archie Thompson played their final Melbourne Victory games at home.
Victory started the stronger of the two sides, and it did not take long for their early dominance to reap rewards. Leigh Broxham’s looping ball in the penalty area found its way beyond the Jeonbuk defence, with Berisha on hand to meet the ball before Kwoun Suntae to give Victory the lead.
But Victory were pegged back only nine minutes later. Delpierre brought down Han Kyo Won on the edge of the box, and Jeonbuk danger man Leonardo dispatched the unsung free kick with aplomb, leaving Lawrence Thomas rooted to the spot.
Both teams traded barbs thereafter in a frantic contest, but neither side could breach one another’s defence. Berisha when closest for the Victory with a pair of long-range drives as well as a header he might feel he could have done more with when it looked easier to score.
By contrast, reigning K-League champions Jeonbuk enjoyed periods of dominance, peppering Victory’s goal, but never forced Thomas into anything more than a catch.
Victory press but can’t find a winner
The hosts showed more intent on the night, but their best efforts could not break down a stubborn Jeonbuk defence after Berisha headed them in front inside four minutes.
Melbourne had their chances but lacked the final product throughout the remainder of the night, hardly forcing Motors goalkeeper Suntae into a real save. He was kept busy, but his gloves were fairly untroubled by the Melbourne attack who fired nine shots, but only two on target.
The challenge is great for Victory in the away leg who must find at least two goals to be any chance of progressing inside 90 minutes.
Jeonbuk fly home satisfied
A home 1-1 draw makes the task on the road difficult for Melbourne, with Jeonbuk now firmly in the box seat to progress.
We have seen away teams content to sit back and soak up pressure against Victory in the group stage, and Leonardo’s stunning free kick may prove decisive as the Koreans protected the draw following the strike. An away goal and a draw means Motors will need as little as a 0-0 draw at home to progress.
Victory must win or secure a draw greater than 1-1 to make the final eight.
Archie says teary goodbye
All good things must come to an end, and after 11 brilliant seasons, the curtain has finally fallen on Archie Thompson’s dazzling Melbourne Victory career
His next step is unclear, but regardless of where he ends up, Thompson will remain in the hearts of each and every Melbourne Victory supporter. Emotions spilled over in the 69th minute when the veteran was replaced by young striker George Howard. A standing ovation coinciding with the familiar “Archie Thompson, da da da da” and “there’s only one Archie Thompson”.
On the bench, the 37-year-old was reduced to tears as he was saluted by the home crowd one final time before he pulls on the Victory jersey for a Korean swan song.
A spinetingling sendoff for the great man #MELvJEO#ThanksArchiepic.twitter.com/MHXeVHifgR
— Outside90 (@Outside90) May 17, 2016
Delpierre and Kosta Barbarouses also bode farewell to the home Victory fans, leaving behind a silverware-laden legacy.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
