Melbourne Victory have seen off Macarthur to secure a 4-1 win that keeps them alive in the A-League Men premiership race.
After Craig Noone’s 56th-minute penalty halved a deficit delivered by Ben Folami and Jake Brimmer, the hosts threw everything into a frantic search for a leveller.
A cheeky backheel effort from Roderick Miranda in the 81st minute and Josh Brillante’s 94th-minute strike, however, dashed those hopes.
Now unbeaten in their last 12 league games, a club record, the result moved Victory to three points back of second-placed Western United, with both having played 23 games.
They are also just five back of top-of-the-table Melbourne City with a game in hand.
“With every result, we grow with confidence,” said Victory’s coach Tony Popovic.
“We are 12 undefeated, it’s another fantastic away win against a team that obviously has a lot to fight for.
“We should have scored more goals in the first half.
“So that’s an area that when we’re on top we have to improve but I think overall we deserve the three points.”
The Bulls’ finals chances, though, have been dealt a heavy blow.
Though clear of seventh-placed Sydney FC by a point, the loss ensured Ante Milicic’s outfit remain just two points clear of the eighth-placed Central Coast.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
And in contrast to Sydney FC, who like Macarthur have played 24 matches, the Mariners have two games in hand.
“I can’t look further than Newcastle Jets next week,” Milicic said.
“We needed to pick up something against Western United and Melbourne Victory. Unfortunately, we didn’t.
“Now, we need to depend on others, which isn’t an ideal scenario.
“All we can do is recover well, re-focus, see how the boys pull up and go again next Sunday.”
Their margin halved by Noone three minutes after Brimmer’s 53rd-minute penalty, Victory were forced to sweat in the 64th as VAR ruled that Aleksandar Jovanovic’s equaliser was offside.
Yet despite the Bulls’ subsequent efforts, Miranda’s audaciously flicked goal off a Brimmer corner and Brillante’s deflected strike sealed the result.
Victory will now head straight to Queensland to take on Brisbane Roar on Monday afternoon, with defender Jason Davidson a chance to return from illness.
“It’s a really short turnaround,” Popovic said.
“I don’t quite understand how it’s at 2 o’clock on Monday but it’s another challenge.”
chris
Guest
Yes I often wonder what the riot squads and police on horseback are doing at Sydney FC matches. It's time JJ started to engage with the relevant authorities and point out that this is just harassment. Pure and simple.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Last night's match between the Jets and Mariners was a cracker, so to speak. A pity it wasn't on earlier, but then it led nicely into the early EPL match with our very own Jarrad Gillet as the VAR.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
can't believe that some in the video are smiling
Tigertown
Guest
I still have visions of Glory’s Brendon Santalab and his attempted Panenka chip.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
“ Now unbeaten in their last 12 league games, a club record, the result moved Victory to three points back of second-placed Western United, with both having played 23 games.” This is correct. However the A-league ladder on this website tells a very different story. It appears not to have been updated for some weeks now.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It wouldn't have happened because the hundreds of riot police officers at an A League game would have stopped it! The double standards are a joke.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Macarthur's fortunes have declined with De Silva being out for 7 or 8 weeks now. At one point, he had close to the most assists in the comp, and more often than not, was a key figure in most attacks on the opposition goal. If nothing else, he aided with ball retention in the opposition third. So Macarthur have had very little of that in recent times.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Imagine if this had of happened at an A League game and not NRL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/fight-breaks-out-man-punched-after-disrespectful-anzac-act-at-nrl-game/news-story/36a324782ef911cc71e05825497f4a6a?amp
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Macarthur have had some pretty weird games where they looked very lackadaisical, they even drew and won some of them so it could have been even worse. I think they miscalculated , Victory is not the team you want to leave as a must win, and the consequences of this loss is Macarthurs two final opponents NJ and WSW have been kept in the race. The formula that Macarthur had when they were looking as title contenders, while they had 5 at the back and 4 mobile midfielders, and a fast striker in Lachie Rose. Milicic threw the title chances away by bringing in Giannou and Munch. Giannou the few goals he has scored have been free shots in the area anyone would have scored, he isnt a threat on the counter attack , Munch is just too slow now for the midfield, and its not like despite having premier league experience he is any better quality than the other midfielders. Milicic comfort picks seem to be the big tall men, like Arnie in the old days. Victory have been the toughest A-league team this season, they did drop off a bit after they won the FFA cup. The biggest factor however was their red cards in games they were easily dominating 8 points lost and they would win the title easily with them. Marcham is a real hot head, and Broxham his replacement just does a lot of unnecessary dirty challenges, while Broxham didnt get sent off he managed to get Brilliante sent off, Brilliante copped the yellows off being the next dodgy foul after Broxhams.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Don’t mention the “choke” word please. He’s good at that.
Waz
Roar Rookie
MacArthur are a really poor “team”. They’re saved by some really high quality individuals. Looking for reasons why, look to the Coach with another collective “I told you so” moment coming up — if a coach can’t generate a positive culture s/he will ultimately fail which is what we are seeing with Bulls (Rudan does the same thing which is why he will flatter to deceive then fail at Wanderers).
Grem
Roar Rookie
If they make the grand final I imagine he'd be quite nervous!
Tigertown
Guest
Had Victory qualified for the ACL (after winning the FFA Cup), I wonder if their record-breaking run would still be in contention? Keep in mind, Popovic’s already won it before. My point? He wants an A-League title - to be the first Australian football manager to win the whole lot. History beckons.