Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers meet for the third time this A-League season in a rare Tuesday night football matchup. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEDT.
Tonight these two sides play a rescheduled Round 19 fixture because of the Wanderers’ Asian Champions League commitments, having met a little over a fortnight ago at the same venue.
On that occasion Gui Finkler cancelled out Brendan Santalab’s second-half strike with a glorious free kick in the 94th minute to force a 1-1 draw.
Unfortunately, the headlines following the draw had nothing to do with the on-field action, after rival sets of fans clashed outside the venue and around Melbourne’s CBD in the leadup to the game.
The media coverage in the aftermath was severe, and a result an increased police presence should ensure no repeat tonight.
For the visiting Western Sydney, three points would bring them to within one point of Brisbane Roar, who stalled after a 2-1 loss at home to Adelaide on Saturday evening.
But despite their 1-0 win in the Sydney derby, also on Saturday night, Tony Popovic’s men could potentially head to Melbourne distracted with a number of key players reportedly on their way out at the end of the season.
News last night inidicated the Shinji Ono could be on his way to J.League outfit Consadole Sapporo, while Youssouf Hersi and Aaron Mooy might also be playing their last season at Wanderland.
Both Ono and Hersi will start from the bench – as will target man Tomi Juric – while first-team regulars Iacopo La Rocca, Mateo Poljak and Jerome Polenz are all missing.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat has named an attacking lineup for the match, with Archie Thompson coming in to a lineup also featuring Andrew Nabbout, James Troisi and Kosata Barbarouses.
But the home side will be without Mark Milligan, who is set to miss six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
Both sides need three points to continue their push for a top-two spot and we shouldn’t see more than a goal in this one either way.
JAJI
Guest
I used to get upset about the bias years ago - nowadays there are too many fans out there who will speak up when the bias happens so I dont worry anymore I note the crowd at this game was bigger than the Big Bash nearby
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Is it abit funny,but also fairly sad at the same time.You ask yourself what is worse, violence taking place or hoping violence takes place?
AZ_RBB
Guest
This wins the internet tonight. hahaha
The Auteur
Guest
Now Brisbane just needs to beat Perth and our 7-point lead is restored!
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Apparently channel 10 has caught vicious fighting occurring in the streets of Melbourne again tonight,unfortunatley all said vision was discarded because it was filmed in portrait and not landscape which was requested by their chief of staff.
Batou
Guest
Thanks Justin. Good work
AZ_RBB
Guest
Agree. Shame about the result. But good entertainment on a Tuesday night. Short turnaround makes it easier to cop.
Stevo
Guest
Cheers. Thoroughly enjoyable game with some terrific goals - and on a sweltering night to boot.
Justin Cinque
Expert
That's it from me. Thanks for your company.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Victory's counter attacking football won out and they now move to third position on the ladder to within two points of the Wanderers in second.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers All the goals came in the second half. The first half was even except for stoppage time when the Wanderers could have scored at least once. In the end it was costly. Because in the second half, Victory solidified their defence and were able to score first through Thompson after a long and well executed passing sequence that started with Coe the goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards Barbarouses thundered home their second. Victory had most of the chances that immediately followed. Two one on ones were saved by Covic before Juric scored for WSW with a minute left. Before I finished typing, Finkler had put a third goal into the back of the net for Victory. In 40-degree heat the game opened up late and it was Victory whose defence was firmest in the second half. In the end the Wanderers failed to back-up after their Derby encounter the other night.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+6′ Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers Wanderers with a late corner. Ono puts it in and the game is finished FULL TIME
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+6′ Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers A goal each in stoppage time and this will end 3-1 surely
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+4′ Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers GOAL VICTORY FINKLER SCORES GAME DONE Finkler got into a 1 on 1 position with Covic and this time Covic was beaten. Finkler played it early and he flicked it past Covic quickly.
Stevo
Guest
Wasn't Finkler though, some other lad in blue.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+4′ Melbourne Victory 2-1 Western Sydney Wanderers GOAL!! JURIC SCORES Hersi crossed and Juric got the end of his toe on it to make the last minute of this match very interesting
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+4′ Melbourne Victory 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers Ono, who's now on the pitch, is denied in the box by a very determined Victory defence.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+2′ Melbourne Victory 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers Finkler's shot too high. Victory have got this in the bag, I'd say. They are going to move into third and only two points behind WSW in second. Six minutes of stoppage time to be played.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90' Melbourne Victory 2-0 Western Sydney Wanderers Victory on the attack once more. And a free kick to Finkler. Hersi pulled him down and he is booked. Only just outside the box.
Justin Cinque
Expert
I missed that. Fair enough