Melbourne Victory 0-0 Melbourne City
By Kieran Yap 17/3/24
Above: Emily Gielnik (left) is pursued by Karly Roestbakken. Photo: Melbourne Victory
The Melbourne derby ended in stalemate after both sides spurned chances to take all three points on Sunday afternoon.
Melbourne Victory entered the match on a hot streak. They had scored 13 goals in their last three games and had not been held scoreless since late December. Melbourne City’s early season form has waned somewhat. Last week they scored twice for the first time since January, and while they are in no danger of missing finals, some of the fear factor around them has dissipated.
Victory began with Paige Zois in midfield. The fan favourite was in the A-League Fantasy team of the week last round. Her two assists and composed performance helped deliver the 4-1 win.
City’s principle source of chances from Round 19 was Bryleeh Henry. The Australian U23 international set up both of Hannah Wilkinson’s goals in the win over Newcastle. She was moved further afield and started at right back. It was a curious choice to make with an in-form attacker, but given the clean sheet, she clearly was up to the task of stopping Beattie Goad, Alex Chidiac and Emily Gielnik throughout the match.
Despite the scoreline, it was not a boring match, just one of missed chances. Neither coach set out to play defensively and both continued to attack to the final whistle.
Emina Ekic was City’s most dangerous forward. The Bosnian international’s array of tricks, turns and her acceleration in tight spaces caused problems for the well organized Victory defence. after creating space, she sent a low drive across goal that Wilkinson almost met for a tap in at the far post.
For Victory, Chidiac was busy as usual, but the City back four made life difficult for the Victory attack. The midfield was able to find Emily Gielnik, but too often the in-form striker was pushed out wide, when the crosses came in, there was nobody to finish them.
If there has been a dependable way to create a chance against City this season it has been pressuring them as they build from the back. Victory had some luck with this method, and when Gielnik received the ball from a turnover, and was on her trusty right foot a goal looked likely, but she effort was straight at Barbara and the opportunity went begging.
In the dying seconds, a Victory corner kick almost found Emma Checker at the back post, but she was inches away from converting.
The 0-0 draw changes little for either team. Although Victory are still not mathematically safe in the top six, the game against Newcastle next weekend has now become a must-win. City are only one point ahead of fourth placed Central Coast Mariners. The two sides play each other next Saturday in what could be an early finals preview and what is certainly a game that will impact the final ladder.
Lineups:
Melbourne Victory: Newbon, Checker, Hansen, Morrison, Rankin, Zois, Gielnik, D’appolonia, Chidiac, Goad, Lowe. Substitutes: Privitelli, Briedis, Curtis, Pickett, Candy.
Melbourne City: Barbara, Henry, Otto, Stott, Roestbakken, Hughes, Davidson, L Mckenna, McMahon, Ekic, Wilkinson Substitutes: Grosso, Meyers, Varley, Accardo, Barbieri.
Referee: Casey Reibelt
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