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Fury escape with a controversial draw

Roar Rookie
22nd August, 2010
15

A nine-man North Queensland Fury have hung on for a 2-2 draw with the Melbourne Victory in one of the most controversial A-League games in history at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.

In a drama filled encounter, Kevin Muscat scored both of the Victory’s goals from the penalty spot, whilst Eugene Sseppuya and Chris Payne scored for the Fury. Referee Chris Boyle took centre stage though, awarding three penalties, sending off two players and booking another two for simulation.

Melbourne Victory should have taken all three points, but poor finishing in front of goal and some fantastic saves from Fury keeper Justin Pasfield kept the scores level.

North Queensland started off the better of the two sides, and in the 15th minute they took an early lead. A rather soft free kick was awarded against Leijer, and after a goal mouth scramble from a dangerous ball, Sseppuya fumbled the ball past the Victory defence.

Victory searched for an equaliser and the game turned on it’s head in the 29th minute when Chris Grossman brought down Robbie Kruse in the box, earning himself a red card. Kevin Muscat then blasted the ball right down the middle, scoring Melbourne Victory’s first ever goal at new home ground AAMI Park.

From then on the Victory dominated the game.

Melbourne created more chances, and should have taken the lead right on the stroke of half time. Dugandzic won the ball in the midfield and laid the ball off to Kruse whose initial shot was blocked, and his second fell straight into the feet of Tom Pondeljak who somehow missed an open goal from right in front. Much to the disbelief of the 13,318 crowd.

In the second half, Kruse and Dugandzic both had penalty shouts turned down and were booked for simulation. Victory were awarded a second penalty in the 75th minute when Osama Malik brought down new signing Geoff Kellaway right on the edge of the area. Muscat had no problems slotting away his second of the game, and the Victory looked like taking all three points.

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But Boyle awarded another penalty in the 80th minute, this time to the Fury which extraordinarily gave North Queensland the chance to equalise. Diogo Ferriera was penalised for what appeared to be holding inside the box.

It sparked a bizarre encounter between Eric Akoto and Kevin Muscat, who pushed down the Victory skipper and earnt himself a red card as well.

Chris Payne then converted the penalty, which rather undeservedly brought the Fury level.

Melbourne Victory pushed for a winner, and Justin Pasfield saved the Fury with a number of fantastic stops in the final minutes of the game, including a brilliant strike from Carlos Hernandez.

In injury time, Rodrigo Vargas was denied again by Pasfield. Leijer had the best opportunity of all with a stunning flying header which just flew past the far post.

It means Melbourne are still winless after their first three matches, whilst the Fury are undefeated.

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