Melbourne Victory have grabbed a point away from home as they drew 1-1 with J-League club Gamba Osaka in a dogged defensive display.
The reigning A-League champions opened the scoring inside three first half minutes after a goal-mouth scramble saw the ball end up in the back of the net after taking a touch off Shu Kurata.
The Japanese giants levelled the match through veteran Japanese midfielder Yasuhito Endo, who headed in from close range unmarked at the back post.
Defensive frailties result in goals
The Victory grabbed themselves the opening goal as they scored a rare goal from a set piece, after the ball was scrambled across the goal line. The corner itself could have quite easily been avoided after Gamba’s goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi carelessly gave the Victory the opportunity as he knocked the ball out of play.
The J-League club should have done a much better job of dealing with the corner as a defensive unit. The gloveman looked fragile with the ball at his feet on numerous occasions throughout the night, making a number of shaky clearances when put under pressure by Victory striker Besart Berisha.
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The home side’s opening goal came courtesy of a Melbourne Victory defensive error as Endo slotted home the equaliser from close-range with goalkeeper Danny Vukovic helpless. Endo found himself alone at the back post after making a run from the edge of the box as the Victory failed to keep tabs on him.
The man responsible was Jai Ingham, who will be having nightmares of the incident as all he could do was watch Endo level the match.
Delpierre the first name on the team sheet
The big Frenchman’s defensive class shone through as he continued to justify his selection as one of the three Victory foreigners available for the competition. The Bundesliga winner showed his experience at the defensive end, positioning himself magnificently on a number of occasions.
Delpierre was tasked with marking Gamba Osaka striker Patric and he did an excellent job. Victory’s defensive rock was strong in the air, rarely beaten by the opposition as he commanded aerial duels throughout the night in a solid defensive display.
The composure shown by the defender was key as the Victory produced another strong performance in the continental competition. The rest of the Victory back four look assured when the former VfB Stuttgart man is in the line-up as his experience is key in these difficult away matches.
Vukovic saves his side
A man who has come under much criticism this season produced arguably his best performance of the season for his side. The former Perth Glory man made a number of impressive saves to keep the home side out during the second half when it got on top of the Victory.
Vukovic ensured his side would return home to Australia with a crucial point as Victory continued their winless streak in games away from home in Asia. Big games produce big moments and this one was no different as Vukovic made save after save in those big moments to ensure the J-League side would not find the back of the net for a second time.
The highlights of Vukovic’s performance were his fingertip save off Patric’s long-range effort before keeping the striker out yet again at his near post.
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