Adelaide United vs Melbourne Victory highlights: Victory win in injury time

By Lou Lando / Roar Guru

22nd October, 2016

Match result:

Melbourne Victory took their first win of the season, scoring the match-winner with the last kick of the game through Marco Rojas.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Adelaide United 1
Melbourne Victory 2

Match preview:

Reigning champions Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory will be searching for their first win of the season when they clash at Coopers Stadium on tonight. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.50pm (AEDT).

Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, although they came in different circumstances. The Reds conceded a last-minute winner to the Western Sydney Wanderers in a controversial match that left United dismayed with a couple of refereeing decisions.

In the first minute, Reds winger Sergio Cirio was crunched by Wanderers defender Jack Clisby who received only a yellow card despite Cirio being forced off the field with an injury which will force him to miss ten weeks.

Then, late in the game with the scores tied 1-1, Wanderers striker Brendon Santalab was lucky not to be given a red card for his tackle on United’s James Holland. Santalab then went on to score the winner shortly afterwards.

Still, there were good signs for United’s coach Guillermo Amor. Striker Sergi Guardiola and Henrique were lively up forward and young speedster Ryan Kitto was terrific when he came on to replace Cirio.

Melbourne Victory are coming off one of their worst losses in recent times, being completely outplayed in the local derby against cross-town rivals City. Inspired by Tim Cahill’s brilliant debut goal, City dominated all over the pitch to win 4-1.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat would have been particularly disappointed with his midfield that just couldn’t keep up or create any chances. Oliver Bozanic, Carl Valeri and Mitchell Austin were ineffective.

Marcos Rojas was also quiet, showing the effects of a midweek international, although he had one superb cameo scoring a lovely goal late in the game.

Victory’s defence was also a worry. Alan Baro was barely sighted and James Donachie doesn’t look up to it at this level. The fullbacks were chasing the ball all night.

Prediction
Adelaide were far more impressive in their loss last week and Guardiola and Henrique will create some huge headaches for Victory defenders, although their increasing injury list is a worry for coach Amor.

For the Victory, Rojas will be fully over his jet lag and should be back to his best. Melbourne’s midfield needs to lift and star striker Besart Berisha has had few opportunities in the first two games.

Muscat needs to find a key to unlock the midfield otherwise it’s hard to see Victory troubling the reigning champions.

Adelaide United 2-1

The Crowd Says:

2016-10-22T11:26:08+00:00

morebeer

Guest

...it is...it can cut you like a German kitchen knife...

2016-10-22T11:20:15+00:00

Guest

start this season is similar to last

AUTHOR

2016-10-22T11:20:09+00:00

Lou Lando

Roar Guru

FINAL SCORE ADELAIDE UNITED – 1 MELBOURNE VICTORY – 2 A dramatic last minute injury time goal by Marco Rojas gave Melbourne Victory a 2-1 win against reigning champions Adelaide United in a tremendous unforgettable game at Coopers Stadium. After withstanding a late United onslaught, Victory countered with one last attack that saw Besart Berisha combine with 16 year old sub Sebastian Pasquali who’s final cross was met with the deftest of touches by Marco Rojas to score with what was the last kick of the game and record Victory’s first win of the A League season. For Adelaide United it was the second game in a row where they conceded the winner in injury time and they remain winless. But coach Guillermo Amor would have been encouraged by a terrific effort by his players, in what was a pulsating game all night and a great advertisement for football in this country. Victory started the game well and were rewarded in the 20th minute when a good long pass by Oliver Bozanic combined with Rojas to set up Berisha in the box who showed great poise to score his first goal of the season. United countered by playing some terrific football late in the second part of the first half. Guardiola was busy up forward and involved in most forward attacks, but lacked a bit of touch at time. Tarek Elrich was dangerous on the right as well. Both teams were playing at a frenetic tempo and it was end to end football all night. Adelaide got on top in the second half as threw everything at Victory looking for the equalizer. It finally came in the 68th minute when Ryan Kitto quickly took a free kick and passed to Elrich in the box. Elrich took his time and went on his left to score a magnificent goal from the edge of the box. United then dominated the last 15-20 minutes desperately searching for the winner in what was a fiery game all night with a season high 40 fouls committed. Young subs Jordan O’Doherty and Danny Choi provided blistering pace and Choi came close to scoring the winner in the 89th minute when he a made an excellent run and hit the upright. Just a minute later an Elrich backpass inside the box saw a blistering shot from Guardiola slam into the opposite upright, frustrating a desperately unlucky Adelaide. Then against the run of play, Victory went forward in the final minute, and another young sub, 16 year old Pasquali combined with Berisha who worked hard to create the final chance for Rojas, whose shot sent the travelling Victory fans into raptures and consigned Adelaide to another heart breaking loss. A tremendous ending to a tremendous game.

2016-10-22T10:53:54+00:00

AZ_RBB

Guest

What a game. Try topping that this season. Unbelievable. That's the beauty of the ALeague right there for you

2016-10-22T10:52:20+00:00

Stevo

Roar Rookie

Wow epic. Football is a funny game. Reds deserved something but ...

2016-10-22T10:52:10+00:00

Mister Football

Roar Guru

It's a cruel game.

AUTHOR

2016-10-22T10:49:20+00:00

Lou Lando

Roar Guru

Two posters by Adelaide late...they were swarming the goal....then Victory on the counter..Berisha teaming with 16 yo sub Pasquali leads to the deftest of touches by Rojas...WOW!!

AUTHOR

2016-10-22T10:47:36+00:00

Lou Lando

Roar Guru

FULL TIME...Rojas' last kick of the game gives Victory a dramatic win!! What a game!! VICTORY 2 ADELAIDE 1

AUTHOR

2016-10-22T10:46:37+00:00

Lou Lando

Roar Guru

Unbelievable finish at Coopers

AUTHOR

2016-10-22T10:46:05+00:00