The referee gave him a bloody nose but Melbourne Victory couldn’t stop Marcelo Canete of Boca Juniors on Friday night.
Canete was the stand-out player and goal scorer in the Argentine club’s 1-0 win in the pre-season friendly at Etihad Stadium.
Canete was also on the wrong end of one of the few notable moments of the match, as he suffered a bloody nose when he and referee Strebre Delovski collided in the first half.
With his scything runs from midfield into attack and his deft ball control, Canete brought the flair and skill the South Americans are renowned for.
But the game contained more fouls than decent goal-scoring chances, and the 20-year-old showed why he is considered the future for Boca with a great solo goal in the 42nd minute.
Canete pounced on a back pass from Melbourne’s Roddy Vargas, sped away from Leigh Broxham and fended off Adrian Leijer before beating Glen Moss.
Canete almost scored a second, in the opening minute of the second half, but Michael Petkovic, who replaced Moss at half-time, saved low.
Canete, who was twice patched up on the sidelines after his collision with Delovski, was off before the hour as both clubs rolled through their squads during the second half.
The game attracted just 13,020 fans, but Boca enjoyed the more passionate support thanks to a pocket of loyal fans who celebrated their appearance.
Melbourne’s main problem was creating chances given Archie Thompson’s replacement is yet to be found and Carlos Hernandez (hamstring) is sidelined, but the Victory twice went close in the first half.
Marvin Angulo and Robbie Kruse both had shots from close range blocked, and Tom Pondeljak put a long-range shot wide in the second half.
Nicolas Blando had the best chance for Boca in the second half, but shot wide after a great run from near the halfway line.
The game was marred by several ugly challenges and some pushing and shoving, and the unstable Etihad Stadium surface, which caused slips throughout the game.
The Victory play two more scratch matches before their grand final rematch against Sydney FC on August 7, while Boca’s visit is part of a world pre-season tour.
Melbourne were also pleased with another encouraging hit-out for midfielder Billy Celeski, who has overcome a serious knee injury.
The Victory said they were used to the slippery surface at the ground, while Boca coach Claudio Borghi had no complaints.
Borghi was satisfied with his side’s performance against a physical opposition, and praised Canete’s performance.
“Canete is a great young player, one of the big hopes of the club,” he said through a translator.
“Sometimes it’s like the tango, he needs to change his pace, but he’s a great player.”
The Argentine team will now head to New Zealand for a game against Wellington Phoenix.
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