Melbourne Victory fight back to earn 3-all draw with vastly improved Wellington Phoenix
A goal in the shadows of injury time secured a stirring Melbourne Victory comeback against Wellington with Kevin Muscat’s men securing a crucial point in the 3-all draw.
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Melbourne Victory produced an inspirational fightback to salvage a crucial point in another enthralling contest with improved Wellington Phoenix.
Victory buckled under the Wellington Phoenix pressure in the first half, before a stunning second half revival, capped off by Kosta Barbarouses’ 88th minute equaliser.
A street-smart and aggressive Phoenix turned up to AAMI Park for the second time in three weeks, as Victory struggled to counter the in-your-face style, before their superior individual quality enabled them to recover from a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3 in front of 18,136 fans.
Kevin Muscat fumed at Phoenix’s stalling tactics, but was proud of his players.
“I don’t think play stopping for cramp is good for our game,’’ Muscat said.
“The way we played in that second half was very like us and how we want to be. We were relentless, it was outstanding.
“Considering how we came in at halftime, it was en enormous effort and earnt a very good result.”
PHOENIX FIRE
Phoenix’s front three played like men possessed in the first half and David Williams, Roy Krishna and Sarpreet Singh are certainly not noted for their running, tackling and harassing.
While Wellington’s equaliser was created by a piercing run and cross from wing-back Louis Fenton, Williams’ desperation saw him get his toe in before Tommy Deng could clear.
Williams earnt a booking for a tackle on Josh Hope, while Singh’s desperation saw him clobber Leigh Broxham as he tried to bundle the ball over the line.
They may not have led to goals, but the Victory players were on notice, for they are rarely put under such pressure at home.
VICTORY’S CONTRASTING HALVES
Muscat’s halftime introduction of Spaniard Raul Baena for Josh Hope completely swung the momentum of the match.
The midfielder’s additional bite and offensive impact was crucial, as Baena played in Barbarouses, who assisted Terry Antonis for Victory’s second, and looked to get forward on every occasion.
Earlier, Victory were outnumbered in midfield and that was exacerbated when youngster Hope’s confidence was dented after a sloppy first touch and subsequent foul led to the penalty that Krishna drilled home to put the visitors ahead.
Phoenix coach Mark Rudan was disappointed with the second stanza.
“It was tough to take after being up 3-1 at halftime. The first half was very good. We’re nowhere where we need to be and that showed in the second half,’’ Rudan said.
“The message from me wasn’t to sit off, it was the opposite, and that’s what I’m most disappointed about.
“We’ve grown hugely, but we need to keep doing the things we were doing in that first half. I was pretty clear in my message that we were nowhere near done.”
VICTORY’S MEGA MARQUEES
Keisuke Honda was all the rage in the first half of Victory’s season, but Ola Toivonen has been every bit as good since.
Toivonen’s finish for the opener was world-class – released by Barbarouses, he raced forward with superb ball control and with impeccable timing, subtly dinked the ball over onrushing keeper Filip Kurto.
His fifth minute finish was crucial, as Phoenix dominated the rest of the half and threatened to run away with it.
The Swede cut a frustrated figure as he was on the end some heavy Phoenix challenges, with the former Sunderland striker resuming his Tyne-Wear derby battle with ex Newcastle United hardman Stephen Taylor.
Toivonen’s deft touch released James Troisi for the crucial second goal just after halftime.
Victory then pushed and got the late equaliser, with Muscat’s attacking substitution which saw Antonis play as an overlapping left-back, paying off.
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