Melbourne Victory twice came from behind to defeat Adelaide United 3-2 at Hindmarsh Stadium tonight to reclaim top spot on A-League ladder on goal difference.
Captain Kevin Muscat netted two penalties and miedfielder Billy Celseski squeezed home the winner in the 84th minute from close range to inflict Adelaide’s first home loss of the season in front of more than 13,000 fans.
Adelaide looked set for another home win after captain Travis Dodd hit a first half penalty and then versatile Brazilian midfielder Cassio scored his first A-League goal in the 66th minute with a brilliant free kick for a 2-1 lead.
But Melbourne stormed home with Muscat’s second penalty in the 81st minute and Celeski’s killer goal in the 84th minute to arrest a run of two defeats.
Adelaide slipped to second ahead but Sydney FC can claim top spot with a win tomorrow night against Central Coast Mariners.
Muscat celebrated wildly with travelling fans after both spot kicks, as Melbourne wrapped up their second victory over Adelaide this season in sensational fashion and without a number of suspended players.
Coach Ernie Merrick said his players had shown true character to come from behind twice and also play so well with so many proven goalscorers on the sidelines like Fabiaqno and Archie Thompson.
“We needed to score some goals and risk everything to get back on top of the table,” he said.
“So we decided to lift the intensity and it was certainly one of our best games this season.”
Merrick said he felt a little sick after Adelaide went ahead from Dodd’s penalty but then they decided to “”really go for it.’
“We went with two central defenders and pushed Kevin into the midfield and encouraged the other midfielders to get forward as much as possible,” he said.
“We thought they’d tire a bit with their heavy schedule and it worked well for us,” he said of Adelaide playing their third game in nine days with the Asian Champions League final to come next week.
Adelaide boss Aurelio Vidmar agreed Melbourne’s risk-taking paid off.
“As the game wore on, the physical pressure they applied proved the key,” he said.
“We’d more or less had it near the end.”
“We just have to forget about the details of the small mistakes that cost us the game tonight.”.
Vidmar had to replace gun midfielder Diego minutes before kick off due to hamstring tightness, not prepared to risk him prior to the first leg of the Asian Champions League final against Gamba Osaka next Wednesday.
Dodd said the loss was probably a shock to the system for the team.
“Things were going along well but that loss could serve a good purpose,” he said.
“Now we have to work hard to get a result on Wednesday.”
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