Melbourne Victory secured three points for the second time this season after a dramatic 3-2 win over Gold Coast United. A game that see-sawed over 90 minutes in front of a crowd that provided an electric atmosphere throughout, Victory rocketed up to 3rd place.
Here is what I learnt:
Melbourne Victory
1. Dramatic, imperfect but what was needed
After a week from hell, nothing other than three points would have been acceptable for Mehm Durakovic and his men. After blowing another 2-0 lead, Carlos Hernandez somehow headed home the winner with 11 minutes remaining.
It was Victory’s best performance of the season, with Melbourne playing with confidence and verve in the opening 35 minutes. However, it wasn’t the perfect performance and there is still improvements to make
2. Mehm got his team right… and wrong
Looking at the team sheet, it was a good, balanced for the Victory. Broxham was at full-back in place of an injured Matt Kemp and suspended Matt Foschini, Marco Rojas returned to the starting XI, as did Harry Kewell. Also pleasing was seeing Diogo Ferreira starting as well.
However, I couldn’t understand why Mehm would take Harry off. Kewell looked most likely to score (after netting his first goal for Victory from the penalty spot) and showed no signs of the niggling leg injury. I understand precautions need to be taken, but with a player doing well, don’t take him off.
3. Billy Celeski shuts me up… for now
The veteran midfielder played his best game for a very long time on Sunday. Celeski has come under pressure from many of the fans, even being booed before the game, for his recent poor performances this season and came back well on the weekend. His passing, workrate lifted and hopefully his confidence did as well on the weekend. Mehm looks like he is going to keep playing him, Billy needs to take that oppurtunity and keep warranting his selection.
4. What was Roddy Vargas thinking?
The veteran centre-back was rightly sent off after a horrible tackle late in the first half. It was silly, reckless and unsettled the side. Diogo Ferreira, the makeshift centre-back, gave away a penalty soon after.
Would that have happened if Vargas was still on? I doubt it. He has copped a two-week suspension, unsettling the Victory back four, with Foschini still suspended and Kemp with fitness issue.
5. Consistency, please
The win relieves some of the pressure on Mehm and his team, but there is still work to do. A problem for mine was the switching off at crucial parts of the game.
Toward the end of the first half and the opening 20 minutes of the second half, Victory let go of any momentum they had in the first half and let Gold Coast back into it. They can’t afford to let it happen in next games, which will be crucial in setting up the Victory’s season.
Gold Coast United
1. Hard done by?
The strugglers from the Strip were put on the backfoot in the opening half-hour, conceding two goals from penalties. Both penalties, you could argue, shouldn’t have been given. However, football works in funny ways.
Referee decisions can even out, and in this game it did, after they were awarded a penalty and had a man advantage on the park for 50 minutes. To answer my question, no.
2. Golgol Mebrahtu suckered in Diogo Ferreira
The young striker started on Sunday and looked like giving the Victory defence headaches as Gold Coast slowly got into the game.
His effect on the game was getting Gold Coast back into the game earning a penalty. He was smart getting that penalty, outwaiting Diogo Ferreira into a rash challenge. Mebrahtu looks a prospect, he’ll continue to develop over the season.
3. Welcome back Jonas Salley
The veteran midfielder joined the Gold Coast on a short term deal and started in a defensive midfield role. He had an eventful game, almost poaching a goal and conceding a penalty and yellow card. He is a good signing on short notice, adding strength to the midfield and helping to develop the Coast’s younger brigade. The Gold Coast need tough bodies in midfield, Salley and Peter Jungschlager can provide that.
4. Plenty of heart and fight but…
Gold Coast are going to struggle. It is not for lack of effort, but the lack of class players in midfield and attack that can change a game. Maceo Righters has been brought in to fill that void and looks a dynamic player, but he’s not at top fitness. They have young players who give their all, but short of experience. They haven’t replaced all the talent lost in the off-season and have a thin squad.
5. Does Miron start coming under pressure?
The Gold Coast are in a rebuilding phase and that will require time to get through. Miron is the best man to keep that going. He is an experienced coach and that is important for the Gold Coast at this stage.
An interesting article appeared on ‘The World Game’ website yesterday reporting that Miron’s position at GCU “could become untenable unless results improve” and that “fractures are beggining to appear in the Bleiberg-Palmer relationship”.
We’ll know more about that as the season goes on. If I were Clive Palmer, I would be patient with this team. But then again… I’m not Clive Palmer.
Michael
Guest
Harvey Kewell was pretty good too!
Michael
Guest
And MICHAEL Bridges plays for the Jets Katie! ATB
pete4
Guest
One of the games of the season so far ! But how Solazano can't get a run now for MV after being the Brisbane sprearhead last season is crazy IMO
TomC
Guest
"I’d love to know who at Victory got him to the club on such short notice after the Velaphi injury" Agreed. Our recruiting for this season has been questionable, but no doubting this one.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
It did it was a great game! I hope Clive stands by Miron, which in the end, I think he will.
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
I would have thought Rojas off for Cernak...like for like switch on that wing. I also have an issue for the timing of the Kewell sub as well, Anyways...Roddy didn't have the best 40 minutes, but he has been in good form this season, so he starts once his suspension is over. Franjic will get a run, which is good, it'll do him well. Ante Covic is a champ, I'd love to know who at Victory got him to the club on such short notice after the Velaphi injury. Thanks for reading :)
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
you are right...this win doesn't solve everything for the Victory, but it is a step. The ladder is tight right now and it will go up and down for most teams. As for Sydney-Brisbane, SFC need to show fight, spirit and come out attack from the first minutes. Put the effort in against this side and hold your head high, regardless of the result
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
yes ARCHIE Thompson is a living legend of the A-League ;) ...thanks for reading
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Nice work Katie----I'm a GCU supporter and all your points are spot on. Two soft penalties against us and some dreadful lack of concentration in our defence cost us at least a draw. But I was pleased with the entertainment aspect from both teams, they gave us our monies worth. Miron won't get sacked, Clive and Miron are best of buddies----a lot of frustration will occur, but Clive won't sack him. Miron will resign if anything if he feels that will allow GCU to go forward, but I don't expect that to happen; they will tough it out together. I reckon they work well together and have a great deal of respect for one another. But apart from me, the home fans are starting to call for change. But Clive works on his own gut instincts and does only what he thinks best.
TomC
Guest
Katie, another fascinating read and I agree with 90% of it, but... I have to take issue with your criticism of Durakovic for taking off Harry Kewell. With the score at 2 all and Victory a man down, having two strikers was a luxury they couldn't afford, particularly with the midfield needing to help out a makeshift back four. So as I see it, the coach had three options: take off Kewell, take off Thompson, or take off Hernandez and have Kewell play in his role at the top of the diamond. Even though Kewell was looking pretty dangerous, Thompson was clearly a better choice for lone striker, and Hernandez was a better choice for AM. Durakovic made a tough decision, and with Archie and Carlos combining for the winner, it was clearly the right call in hindsight. He should be congratulated rather than criticised. Agree with everything else though, particularly your assessment of Celeski and your confusion at Vargas. Roddy was having a poor game even before he got sent off and if Franjic produces a couple of solid displays there may not be room for him any longer. Also want to mention the imperious performance of Ante Covic. For once we didn't rely on his desparate shot-stopping, but he did a fantastic job controlling the area and shut down a number of attacks.
Victree
Guest
Arnold Thompson? Kewell had very little impact in the game and given we had a defender sent off and one come off injured it only made sense to bring on some defensive minded players.
Matt F
Roar Guru
The one thing that, hopefully, the general media have learnt is that, when the league is so close and the season so early, don't go over the top with criticism as a teams position can change so quickly. Had Melbourne lost by 2 goals they would have been last, but as it stands they're 3rd. It's that close. Look at Sydney. 2 weeks ago we were flying but we've now lost 2 straight and it will probably be 3 straight given we play the Roar this weekend. I'm predicting alot of negative press if Brisbane do what many expect and beat us on Sunday. The Mariners looked very poor in their first few matches but now look like the most likely challenger to the Roar. Just like it was too early to write MV off last week, it's too early to start talking them up as a "contender" and "back in form" based on the one victory. As you said consistency is the key, and it's a difficult thing to achieve in a league this even.
Michael
Guest
Hi Katie, I like your commentary and also can't understand why Kewell was subbed. I tell you what, that Arnold Thompson is a good player, isn't he?
Katie Lambeski
Roar Guru
Hi and thanks for commenting. You make interesting points and don't worry about starting other arguments, always welcome on my articles
Roger
Guest
Interesting thoughts. At the risk of starting another argument however, I would say that the penalties awarded to Victory were fouls in the box, and therefore - according to the rules of the game - penalties. I know for a long time now we have gotten used to an "A-League interpretation" of FIFA rules, including rough challenges, and an almost complete dismissal of all but the most extreme penalty calls - but that doesn't mean that the calls are wrong now. It just means FFA are changing the way we interpret the FIFA rules here.