Anticipation was high ahead of kick off for Season 10, but what was to come next was not expected. Other than holding Wanderers scoreless, Victory fans could not have asked for a better result to open their A-League campaign.
For Victory, the result meant they had achieved their first win in the opening round for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
Not only that, but Victory notched up the largest winning margin and most amount of goals in an opening round match.
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To further rub salt into the wound of Wanderers, Victory inflicted them with their largest defeat and first time for conceding four goals in a match – extremely un-wanderer like.
Melbourne came out intent on hitting the ground running, and that’s exactly what they did. New recruits Matthieu Delpierre and Besart Berisha got off the mark early in their club debuts, scoring in emphatic fashion to send the Victory fans into a frenzy.
Within the space of 19 minutes, Victory were up 2-0 and the Wanderers’ mastercoach, Tony Popovic, appeared clueless as to what his side could do to turn the match around.
The momentum continued as the twinkling toes of Kosta Barbarouses proved decisive in creating the chance for Leigh Broxham to strike home what would be only his third goal in 156 appearances for the club, putting Victory up 3-0.
As the first half drew to a close, the all-round A-League veteran, Mark Bridge, pounced on a mistake made by Matthieu Delpierre. As the centre back rushed out to head the ball away, a passage opened for Bridge to waltz straight on through and score with ease past Nathan Coe.
But what’s an A-League match without refereeing controversy?
When Victory were leading 1-0 early in the half, a wayward challenge from Delpierre brought down Brendon Santalab in the box. A clear penalty in the eyes of most, but not the ones that counted. It was quite possibly a match changer.
For Victory, this appeared to be their only hiccup of the night, as they went on to score another in the second half through none other than club stalwart Archie Thompson.
The Wanderers were able to wrestle back some momentum throughout the second half, partly thanks to two half-time substitutions made by Popovic to take off Kwabena Appiah for Jason Trifiro and Iacopo La Rocca for Victor Saba. Ultimately, it wouldn’t be enough to stop Victory from finishing 4-1 winners.
While it’s easy to get carried away for both sets of fans, a kind reminder that it is only Round 1 is necessary and both coaches seemed more than aware this was only the start.
For Kevin Muscat and his men, the performance was one that should send a wake-up call to all teams, that unless you’re prepared to play for the premiership you had better be prepared for many more performances like Friday night.
For Tony Popovic and his team, they’ll realise that for a team that prides itself on performance, a result like this is unacceptable. With the Asian Champions League final around the corner, the boys from Western Sydney will need to remain focused and switch on. It could prove the difference between a long season or an enjoyable one.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Continuing with theme of WSW signings. In 2012, 16yr old Blacktown junior Jake Adelson signed with Everton. Not too sure about how we went on Merseyside but this morning he has signed with WSW. I imagine the young centre back will be drifting between the senior team and NYL.
AZ_RBB
Guest
The team will clock up some solid miles in the coming month. After the Derby they go from Sydney to Riyadh to Wellington to Perth.
Josh
Guest
I dare say it'll be about round 6 or so when WSW start to fire. I predicted the team to stay down in the lower half of the ladder for a while then fight their way back up when the team settles in. I'm sticking by it.
AZ_RBB
Guest
If only we had made all these buys a month or two ago. Thankfully there's that ACL break where they'll get a chance to settle in. Then with 4 home games in 2 weeks we'll show everyone what we can do!
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Latest -Poppa signs Ruka!!!
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah, it kills me that we don't have anything like it in NSW. Our obsession with stadiums with tall wings and short ends really hurts atmosphere. Even Docklands with the seats brought in is arguably better in terms of atmosphere than anything in NSW. Hopefully next season when WSW v MVFC is held twice in Melbourne, there will be one at AAMI Park.
Justin Mahon
Guest
AAMI is exceptional. That is the only world for it.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Now we bring the seats in for all games at Docklands, it's great. I have been in the same CatBReserve seats for 10 years now, but two years ago when they started brining in the seats then viewing improved immensely. The atmosphere is always good though, mainly because we get decent crowds.
Catnap
Guest
I can't believe poppa did not have one technicaly gifted player on the pitch if Saba had played from the start it could have been a little different and I am still amazed that they are in the final with only one technical player the mind boggles!!!!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Watched all live except for 3rd Group matches had to watch one on delay.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Finally back in west Sydney. Never been happier to be home haha. Not much to add about the game. I can only hope that this was a one off for our boys. I strongly feel that we have the quality to play significantly better football than what we did on Friday. Really don't buy into the ACL excuses going around. There were equal pros and cons of playing ACL in the lead up to the A-League. It was an interesting experience. First time I had attended an MVFC away match and it was completely different to every other away match I have attended. It was the smallest away contingent I've ever been part of and comfortably the most intimidating atmosphere I've ever faced. I like to think we held our own quite well over the 90mins despite the result. Docklands was a much better stadium than I expected. The view from Level 1 was excellent. But keen to attend an AAMI Park match there soon.
Cameron
Roar Guru
It didn't take long for the complaints begin coming my way. My Mrs. doesn't like any sport. So watching the A-League will prove a battle. Thankfully she's been busy this weekend. Getting married in exactly three weeks though so yeah I'll enjoy it while it lasts. How did you watch all 64 live or did you record then watch?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Family commitments have restricted my viewing to only Friday night. Another family lunch means I'll miss WEL v PER, but hope to catch BRI v ADL. I guess having no complaints when I was watching 64 matches during the World Cup, had to eventually have consequences!
Cameron
Roar Guru
I've stayed tuned into every match so far this round. That match was fairly boring in the first half. The attention span people require these days to wait for a 93rd minute goal isn't that great. It's no wonder they switched off.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Disappointing ratings for F3 Derby, given it was the opening match for both teams. Last season the three F3 Derbies averaged 60k (86k, 39k and 56k). CCM & NEW had a season average of 61k last year. No doubt WEL v PER won't attract huge numbers, but hoping for another 100k+ rating for BRI v ADL.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Mid & Fuss, here at are the ratings so far for all three matches in comparison to last seasons opening round: Last year’s numbers rd 1… FTA – SBS 11 October 2013 Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets SBS 243,000 Pay – Fox 11 October 2012 Sydney FC V Newcastle Fox 115,000 12 October 2013 Central Coast Mariners v Western Sydney Wanderers 77,000 12 October 2013 Melbourne Victory v Melbourne Heart 124,000 13 October 2013 Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar 60,000 13 October 2013 Adelaide United v Perth Glory 88,000 Total Fox 464, 000 Total SBS 243, 000 Round Total = 707,000 Round Average = 141,500 2014/15 - Rd 1 Fri SBS1 MVCvWSW 215 (280) - peaked at 643k Fri STV MVCvWSW 122k Sat STV SYDvMCY 118k F3Derby 49k Total: 569,000 Average: 189,666
Cameron
Roar Guru
"Have to chuckle at the way some writers never question a ref’s decision regarding penalties when it gives an advantage to their own team; but always question the refs decision for teams they don’t like, or don’t follow." Fuss, I am one of the most unbiased fellows you'll meet. Sometimes blinded by false hope but I never am too far away from admitting the truth.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Have to chuckle at the way some writers never question a ref's decision regarding penalties when it gives an advantage to their own team; but always question the refs decision for teams they don't like, or don't follow. In relation to the goal MVFC conceded, Del Pierre did the right thing. He's a centre back the ball was in the air & he headed it away. 2 MVFC players filled the gap that he vacated and they should have dealt with the ball as it was chipped into the box. Initially Geria was at fault for not meeting the ball, then Broxham & Leijer were at fault for allowing the ball to bounce inside the box. Del Pierre didn't make a mistake in this instance & he put in a nearly faultless display at Centre Back.