Melbourne Victory have returned to the top of the A-League ladder after a win over Adelaide United saw them leapfrog Brisbane Roar into first place.
However the game is more likely to be remembered for the fan walk-out 30 minutes in, protesting the FFA’s treatment of banned fans.
Besart Berisha scored early, through a penalty in the 14th minute, at Oliver Bozanic made it a 2-0 lead in the 30th minute.
Adelaide scored their only goal of the match when the game was almost over, through Marcelo Carrusca, in the 87th.
Final score
Melbourne Victory 2
Adelaide United 1
Melbourne Victory have a chance to return to the top of the A-League ladder when they host winless Adelaide United. Join The Roar for live scores from the game, beginning at 7:30pm (AEDT).
Victory are currently in second place on the ladder but depending on the results of the earlier match between the Newcastle Jets and Brisbane Roar, they could potentially leap ahead of the Roar to the top – so long as Brisbane draw or lose against the Jets.
Adelaide United are still looking for their first win this season and their search is not going to get any easier when they come up against reigning champions Victory.
Victory haven’t lost to United in their last seven meetings – though they’ve recorded four draws in that time and not beaten them by more than a single goal in any of their three wins.
United have recorded three draws and four losses from seven starts so far in this A-League season. They’ve kicked the least goals of any team (6) and let through the equal most (15), and are the only winless team in the league.
All three of those draws have come in home matches, and they’ve lost their last five away matches on the trot.
However the return of goalkeeper and captain Eugene Galekovic last week helped them keep the Newcastle Jets to a clean sheet, and while they weren’t able to find a game-winner at the other end of the ground, a less leaky defence would seriously improve their chances.
That said, while they are looking for a breakthrough win, Victory are likely too good for them to find it here. They welcome back Besart Berisha and Carl Valeri from injury this week.
Prediction: Victory to win comfortably, 2-0.
Join The Roar for live scores from the game, beginning at 7:30pm AEDT.
Uncle Junior
Guest
I look up data for accuracy when engaging in a discussion that requires facts and figures - a skill most people learn at a young age.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
At least I rely on my memory, because I have actually experienced it, unlike newbies like your good self having to look it up.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Baffled when people comment on MVFC crowds. Might do better looking at the 9 other teams not pulling their weight.
Uncle Junior
Guest
What part of "biggest crowd for this fixture in Melbourne since Season 3" do you find hard to understand. In case you are a recent newcomer to basic numeracy, Season 2 precedes (i.e. is before) Season 3. Having said that there has never been a 40k crowd for this fixture in Melbourne. In Season 2, the crowds for this fixture were 15.8k (Olympic Park) and 32.4k (Etihad). Maybe your memory has been dulled by age and/or PEDs.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I'm not sure if you are a recent newcomer to the game and/or the A-League, but I have a very clear memory of 40,000 attending this fixture in season 2. They were the A-League's halcyon days.
Uncle Junior
Guest
What do you mean count immediately prior to the walkout? The attendance is based on how many people scan a barcode at the entrance. It's really not that complicated. Remarkable crowd. Apparently it's the biggest crowd for this fixture in Melbourne since Season 3.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Attendance: 23,415 (presumably that's the count immediately prior to the walk out by the NT)
TomC
Roar Guru
Stupid, yep. Very strange from a guy in excellent form.
TomC
Roar Guru
Indeed. The Victory are winning, but there are some worrying signs. They could really do with the extra depth the return of Valeri and Thompson would afford them. Very surprised FBK was man of the match. I thought he was one of the more disappointing players.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
@MF Its not difficult at all. Without the fans football is nothing. If they want to keep on appeasing the likes of mainstream media, Alan Jones, Ray Hadley and Rebecca Wilson at the expense of the fans then they need to get their priorities straight and fast, because once they lose the fans, they have nothing.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
That's time, MV hold on 2:1, but very unconvincing at the end, AU fought hard to get back into the game after goind down 2-0 early on.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
92nd min, still 2-1 MV will hold on, but their last 20 minutes or so were pretty ordinary
Mister Football
Roar Guru
MV looking half a sleep out there, they really need to snap out of it
Mister Football
Roar Guru
PEN! really clumsy by Barbarouses, stupid even, once he lent on the back of Goodwin, it was all over Carrusca converts from the spot 2:1 88th Barbarouses off
Mister Football
Roar Guru
84 min, still 2-0 MV playing as if they are happy with the scoreline Finkler has it, outside the box, puts a dangerous ball in, finally Galekovic fists away, puts plenty of distance on it, good goalkeeping because it was a bit dangerous for a sec
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Arguably they got stuck in the headlights, things have moved on now, it's very hard for them to sound indignant when the news is reporting death threats against media people, I'm saying it has become a difficult path to tread.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
decent header then, by SAnchez, but held by Vuka now it's a corner by AU, good spell by them, AU holding it well in MV third another corner
Mister Football
Roar Guru
75 min, still 2-0 strange period of the game, both sides a little switched off, there were a couple of minutes there where MV were doing everything to give the ball away, but actually kept it, save forced out of Vuka
RBBAnonymous
Guest
They simple need to defend the sport and defend their fans. Its not difficult. They should have demanded from their stakeholders who released the confidential information, and an investigation should have taken place. They should have worded a stronger statement to Alan Jones, Rebecca Wilson and Ray Hadley denouncing their ill advised and uninformed rants on football. They should have provided the facts on how safe our football matches are and how few arrests we have in comparison to other high profile sports. they should have informed people of the strict banning process they have in place and that we are the only sport who takes a tough stance on "unruly supporters". in fact I would guess that there is no banned list for AFL supporters. i dont think they have one, which is all you need to know, and if they did. They should make it public right ????
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Replay of Bozanic's goal here: http://www.theroar.com.au/tv/bozanic-scores-free-kick-against-ill-disciplined-adelaide/ his first ever goal for the Victory