- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Melbourne Victory remain in pole position to qualify from their Asian Champions League (ACL) group despite letting slip an early lead to draw 1-1 with Gamba Osaka in Japan.
Victory led for almost an hour at the home of the former ACL champions when Nick Ansell’s pressure forced Shu Karata to trickle a ball into his own goal.
But the A-League champions were denied by a diving header from decorated veteran Yasuhito Endo after the break.
While Victory were on course for a first win outside Australia after taking the game to Gamba. By fulltime they would owe Danny Vukovic for making a string of second-half saves to maintain parity.
Masaaki Higashiguchi’s embarrassing howler allowed Victory to steal a march on their well-credentialled opponents inside three minutes.
The goalkeeper conceded a corner after miskicking a regulation backpass, with Victory taking full advantage.
Ansell’s pressure told from the set-piece, with the unlucky Kurata’s attempted clearance dribbling over the line.
On 57 minutes, poor marking at a Gamba corner cost Victory their lead.
Jai Ingham, the hero of last week’s win over Shanghai SIPG, allowed his marker Endo plenty of space to head home Takashi Usami’s fine centre.
Gamba were finishing the stronger, with Matthieu Delpierre excelling as he tried to contain key frontman Patric.
The powerful Brazilian cleaned up Oliver Bozanic in a second-half aerial contest, with the midfielder substituted shortly after.
As Gamba chased a winner, Vukovic was on hand twice within two minutes to deny Patric from long-range and Takashi Usami’s volley at close quarters.
Patric missed a golden chance to win it 10 minutes from time when his header shaved the crossbar, with Vukovic stopping another short-range shot as the clock ticked down.
The visitors were by far the happier team to hear the final whistle, adding the away draw to their opening 2-1 success over Shanghai.
Victory will have the chance to solidify their position at the top of group G when they host Korean side Suwon Bluewings on March 15 in their next match.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.