Melbourne Victory 1-4 Western United
By Emma Burke 6/1/24
Above: Keiwa Hieda (L) and Chloe Logarzo. Photo: Western United.
At the Home of the Matildas, the heat wasn’t the only oppressive force working against Melbourne Victory as Western United defeated them 4-1.
While Victory looked lively in the opening 10 minutes with two clear chances at scoring, they were unable to sustain their attack.
The first two goals for Western came in quick succession, with only two minutes separating Kiwea Hieda’s opener and Adriana Taranto’s follow up.
The second half saw a change in goals for Victory, with Lydia Williams exiting due to an ankle issue, and it was a very warm welcome to Melbourne Victory for Courtney Newbon, facing a penalty taken by Chloe Logarzo. The penalty was awarded after Hieda was taken down in the box, and Logarzo executed the spot kick perfectly and powerfully, beating a diving Newbon.
It took Logarzo less than ten minutes to find her second goal of the game. The cross was delivered by Adriana Taranto, weighted perfectly to meet Logarzo’s run into the box. Beating her defender with an outstretched leg, her volley hit the back of the net, taking Western United to a 4-0 lead.
Victory’s consolation of the afternoon came in the form of a late Rachel Lowe goal. Lowe was able to find space at the top of the box before shooting. The ball fell on a lucky (for Victory) deflection that was enough to put it past goalkeeper Hillary Beall.
Unfortunately for Victory, there wasn’t enough time for them to mount a comeback against Western, and the visitors left with all three points.
This win sees Western United climb the ladder all the way up to 3rd, and sends Victory down to 6th.
Both teams will travel to Sydney next week for the inaugural ‘Unite Round,’ where Victory will face Perth Glory, and Western United, Sydney FC.
Melbourne Victory (4-2-3-1): Williams (gk), Rankin, D’Appolonia, Nash, Chidiac, Weinert, Checker, Zois, Morrison, Kellond-Knight, Lowe Substitutes: Hansen, Murphy, Okino, Curtis, Newbon (gk)
Scorers: Lowe 78’
Western United FC (4-2-3-1): Beall (gk), Papadopoulos, Sawicki, Logarzo, Robers, A. Taranto, M. Taranto, Maher, Vlajnic, Hieda, Cerne Substitutes: De Dimizio, Prakash, Dakic, Sardo, Dall’Oste (gk)
Scorers: Hieda 32’, A. Taranto 34’ Logarzo 60’, 69’
Referee: Beth Rattray
Attendance: TBC
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