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Melbourne Victory has secured their first win of the 2010/11 A-league season thanks to a 1-0 victory over Gold Coast United at Skilled Park on Sunday afternoon.
Robbie Kruse scored the only goal of the game in the 20th minute, after he got on the end of a magnificent through ball from Carlos Hernandez and controlled well before putting it past former Victory keeper Glen Moss from a tight angle.
Victory was in desperate need of the three points, and once they took they lead they were content to sit back and defend. They eventually held on for the rest of the game, to grab their first three points and clean sheet of the season.
A rather youthful Gold Coast outfit found it hard to break through the Victory defence, with the absence of Shane Smeltz hard felt. Gold Coast are reported to be in talks with Bruce Djite though, to replace Smeltz pending his transfer to Gençlerbirliği goes through.
Though United coach Miron Bleiberg felt that the team missed Joel Porter more than Shane Smeltz.
“We struggled up front today and although people will say we missed Shane Smeltz today, I think we actually missed Joel Porter more,” said Bleiberg after the game.
“Sometimes miracles happen when you play your young players but today it wasn’t to be for us.
“We knew we were a bit underdone in attack, especially as we were facing such an experienced Melbourne team, but fair play to them (Victory).
“They scored their goal, killed the game and we didn’t have the firepower to break them down.
“We had our chances in the first half but struggled to create much in the second. We missed a target-man to hold the ball for us and bring other people into the play.
“Melbourne decided to defend what they had and all credit to them because they did it well. They are an experienced team and it showed today.”
Both teams started the game fairly even with not many chances being created.
The game was brought to life though in the 20th minute thanks to a brilliant pass from Hernandez, and finish from Kruse. Hernandez spotted the run of Robbie Kruse and played a through ball to him, with the striker then going around Glen Moss and finishing brilliantly from a tight angle.
The Gold Coast nearly equalized just a minute later, but a poor first touch in the area from James Brown ended the attack.
Gold Coast again came close to an equalizer just before the half hour mark. Michael Petkovic parried Adam Traore’s well driven cross, and Gol Gol Mebrathu could only head wide from right in front.
Two minutes later Petkovic made a fantastic save from a Jason Culina volley to keep the Victory in front.
Melbourne Victory then had its best chance to add to their lead, but Carlos Hernandez sent his free-kick just over the crossbar.
After the break Melbourne looked much more organized, and Gold Coast’s chances came few and far between. The lack of forward presence was felt, with Culina not receiving the service he needed.
Gold Coast kept searching for a goal, but it was Victory who nearly got one. Muscat’s shot in the 70th minute was deflected, and Leigh Broxham rather comically chested the ball away from goal rather than heading it in.
Melbourne Victory were in control though for the rest of the game and the Gold Coast never really created a good chance to score.
After two draws and a loss to the start of the season, Merrick was relieved to finally get off the mark, and that the win was thoroughly deserved.
“It’s never an easy game up here. We were just happy to control the game from position.”
“We had the possession, more shots on target and more corners and I just felt that whoever I brought on would do a good job.” Merrick said.
The Victory now travel to Gosford next week to take on the Mariners, whilst the Gold Coast have a week off.
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