A shocking Melbourne Victory defensive mix-up gifted Central Coast Mariners a 2-2 draw at AAMI Park on Thursday night and consigned last season’s grand finalists to a tough battle for an A-League finals berth.
Goalkeeper Michael Petkovic’s 78th minute own goal after he and Victory midfielder Grant Brebner made a diabolical mess of a corner pinched the Mariners a point in a fiery encounter in front of the Victory’s worst ever A-League crowd.
It was a familiar story for the Victory, who dominated possession and created a host of chances, but couldn’t convert any as the Mariners hit them with a first half sucker punch with one of their few clear opportunities to take the lead.
Striker Daniel McBreen netted against the run of play on 28 minutes – finding himself in space to finish past Petkovic as Victory’s defence was badly exposed.
Several more chances were squandered by the Victory – Archie Thompson most culpable with two golden opportunities he shot at the `keeper early in the second half.
Then two quickfire second half goals to the Victory turned the match on its head.
First Rodrigo Vargas waved a boot from one metre out to touch home after good lead-up work from Kevin Muscat and Adrian Leijer in the 62nd minute.
Then Carlos Hernandez struck two minutes later with a brilliant 25-metre free-kick to put his side 2-1 ahead and lift the pall of frustration which had settled over the 9674 crowd.
But more gloom came for the home fans 14 minutes later, when Mariners midfielder Michael McGlinchey’s corner landed amongst the Victory’s defence.
Petkovic couldn’t hold the ball, it bounced off Brebner’s foot, rebounded on to Petkovic’s leg and into the net for a Mariners goal.
The Victory could have pinched all three points if Robbie Kruse’s 82nd minute header hadn’t gone agonisingly wide of the post, though the Mariners also pushed hard without success for a winner in the dying minutes.
There were also plenty of flashpoints, and Mariners midfielder Adam Kwasnik could face scrutiny for an off-the-ball incident in which he appeared to fell Muscat in the second half.
The Victory remain in the top six, while the Mariners stay third.
Victory coach Ernie Merrick admitted a top two berth and the double chance in the finals was probably out of reach for his side after their draw.
But he still is confident the Victory can secure a finals berth, though the next few weeks will be crucial as the pack behind them closes in.
“It was a bit disappointing we didn’t get three points but it was so important we played like that for 90 minutes,” Merrick said.
“I don’t think we’re going to finish top two, but if we back up this performance continually I think we’ve got a great chance of finishing third, fourth or fifth.
“I think the finals are there for the taking now we’ve shown how we can play.”
Central Coast coach Graham Arnold admitted the Victory were the better side, but praised his side’s courage to keep fighting to gain a point in their ninth away game in the first 13 of the season.
“They were the better side tonight. I’m very proud of us – our mentality, our workrate was fantastic,” Arnold said.
“That’s the best they’ve played in a long, long time. And the fact we’ve come down here and got a point and are finally going back to Bluetongue (Stadium) after six weeks away, I’m very happy.”
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