Melbourne Victory sent Adelaide United back to the therapist, extending one of the most dominant streaks in Australian sport with a 10th successive A-League win over the Reds on Friday night.
Victory’s 2-1 come-from-behind win in a classic at Etihad Stadium ended Adelaide’s own 13-match unbeaten streak, though the Reds remain top of the A-League ladder.
But United – who went into the match in the form of their lives – still couldn’t find a way to beat their bogey team despite grabbing an early lead.
Defender Iain Fyfe’s headed goal from a Paul Reid free-kick inside the first 60 seconds suggested the Reds would be every chance of breaking their run of defeats stretching back more than three years and including the grand final two seasons ago.
In a tense match which simmered with niggle and end-to-end action for the full 90 minutes, the Victory chased down the Reds to level up with a Robbie Kruse long-range strike on 21 minutes.
They then ran them over on 68 minutes with a neat move down the right involving the outstanding Kruse, Tom Pondeljak and finally Carlos Hernandez, who banged in the winner to shatter the visitors.
The Reds lost star striker Mathew Leckie inside the first 20 minutes with a knee injury – the victim of a crude and heavy foul from Victory defender Surat Sukha in a match where the tough challenges flowed along with plenty of chances.
Just as Kruse was involved in everything for the Victory, United skipper Lucas Pantelis and midfielder Adam Hughes worked tirelessly setting things up for the Reds.
But the Victory eventually climbed to third place on the table once Hernandez struck following a frenetic last five minutes when both Pondeljak and Adelaide substitute Inseob Shin hit the post.
Victory’s 10-game winning streak over the Reds is now the most consecutive wins by one club over another in Australian national soccer league history.
But United coach Rini Coolen shrugged off the Victory hoodoo in the wider scheme of things, saying the Reds would not be derailed by the defeat.
“It’s nothing to worry about. We’re doing well, we’re playing well, we’re dangerous,” Coolen said.
“You can lose sometimes. It happens. We just have to look forward to the next game.”
Victory coach Ernie Merrick was thrilled with Kruse’s man-of-the-match performance and his side’s second half performance – especially a dominant 20-minute period – against the league’s top team.
“He’s on fire Robbie. He’s playing terrific football,” Merrick said of the former Brisbane Roar player, who has now scored in his past four matches.
“He’s gone from being a winger to a goalscorer and he’s really thrived in our environment. Every time Robbie got the ball I thought we’d get something out of it.”
mahony
Guest
I am a MV fan and it was clearly a yellow and should have been called. It is only red if the referee determines it to be malicious and/or deliberate. Anyway, as to the tackle itself. Leckie skinned Sukah and cut across him to get the front/inside position (as he should) but did so at the same time as Sukah was striking to clear the ball which was bouncing from Leckie's 1st touch. Fortunately for Sukah (but not Leckie) is was bouncing at knee height. Sukah was late, but he was not high - nor were the studs showing. As to the crap about MV being a dirty team - the stats don't support the claims and this league has its fair share of hard defenders who make poor tackles (frankly, most leagues do to be fair to the Australian game). Every team has them but everyone likes to pretend their team doesn't. Sukah has expressed his regret on his facebook page for those who are interested. Have a chop at Muscat by all means (water, duck, back) - but this gentle Buddhist man is no thug. Refereeing in this league is still its biggest weakness IMO.
LonsdaleBologna
Guest
Australian Football, mate it wasn't even blown for a foul. More poor,poor biased reffing. While we're at it, why the hell do AU only play one game against MV at home and have to travel to Docklands twice, EVERY YEAR!
Titus
Guest
Thanks guys, sounds nasty and I hope the kids alright, would be a terrible time for him to get a serious injury. I don't think Surat is a malicious player but he does seem a little clumsy at times. Unfortunately I no longer have Foxtel so it is hard to get a good highlights package. Saw a little bit of the game on a live stream but missed most of it. The good news is I will get to see two games live tonight, the bad news is Sydney is playing in one game and Perth in the other ; )
Australian Football
Roar Guru
hmmm yeah very close to being one---if not one.. I think it was one---did he get a yellow?
Midfielder
Guest
IMO that tackle was a red ... and typical MV they may play some nice attacking football at times but they are about the most physical in the league in defense...
Australian Football
Roar Guru
You can see the the hi-lights on FOX video now, and I think it was a terrible tackle Surat had no chance to get his foot to the ball and the tackle was designed more to bring Leckie down. Not sure if he meant to hurt Leckie but it was sure meant to bring Leckie down hard..
MVDave
Guest
Leckie had gone around the outside of Surat, who was well beaten. As defenders do Surat lunged at Leckie with a knee high tackle from the left side, just as Leckie was pushing off with his left foot planted. Surat got no where near the ball but pushed Leckies knee in towards the medial side and it looked like the knee buckled unders his weight and Surats horizontal force. Crude and deserving of a yellow but dont believe Surats intention was to hurt Leckie, just unfortunate that all the worst possible aspects came together at one moment to down him...fingers crossed no serious damage. Leckie IMO is the most exciting footballer in the country and l want him playing for AU when MV next meet them.
Titus
Guest
I'm still waiting for highlights on free to air so I can see the Surat tackle on Leckie. You can call the a-league fans conspiracy theorists if you like but all I want is minimal coverage of what sounds like an exciting, well attended game. The AFL/NRL season is over. Just a short well edited highlights piece please!
MVDave
Guest
Terrific game and atmosphere. MV seem to enjoy playing at Etihad at the moment and were worthy winners. Felt for Leckie as it was a crude, but not malicious, tackle from Surat. Was Leckie fully fit before the game as there had been some concerns and the knee was heavily strapped? Probably was the major turning point as MV scored whilst AU didnt have their sub ready and were down to 10 men. Not a great fan of Kruse but thought he was very good and dragged MV back into the contest. Forget Riccardinho and just work on getting Archie ready. The game was physically tough but with some terrific passing and skills on display...the last 20 minutes were end to end. Victory are back!