Melbourne Victory
1
69
Adelaide United
0
| K. Barbarouses |  | 62' | ||
| J. Troisi |  | 60' | ||
| 30' | | B. Halloran |
| 5 | Shots | 11 | ||
| 3 | On Target | 2 | ||
| 7 | Fouls | 13 | ||
| 0 | Corners | 6 | ||
| 1 | Offsides | 1 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
A top-four battle in the match of the round sees a rampant Melbourne Victory against Adelaide United, one of the A-League’s strong rivalries. Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEDT) for live scores and blog of the match.
What a cracking match up in Round 7, with two true contenders going toe-to-toe at Marvel Stadium.
A poor two weeks to open the season seem like ancient history for Melbourne Victory, who since defeating Newcastle in the Grand Final re-match have looked imperious on their way to a four-game winning streak and second spot on the ladder.
Keisuke Honda has taken the league by storm, putting in a display last week that thrilled the fans, but left the Japanese playmaker still searching for that next level.
If he finds another level, the competition should be wary.
Adelaide meanwhile come off a tough home win (their first of the season) against a worthy Brisbane opponent.
While the loss of Taylor Regan to an unnecessary red card is a hit, it is not a blow that the Reds cannot recover from, with their own star player Craig Goodwin continuing his stellar opening to this campaign.
This match may ultimately rest on whoever does best to thwart the damage that might be done by the other’s best player. However, in Melbourne’s favour, they have more than enough stars available to step up.
The question will be, does Adelaide?
On the other hand, Adelaide have a 100 per cent away record this season. Granted, tonight presents their toughest road trip to date, but they will be mindful of their record, which must give them confidence.
Prediction
I can see a stalemate. Melbourne will attack, but then again so will Adelaide. Ultimately the better defence should win this game, but the match for me is too evenly matched to call.
2-all draw.
Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 7:50pm and don’t forget to leave a comment in the section below.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Melbourne have essentially said to the competition: we are here to go back-to-back. Adelaide will go home ruing so many missed chances, after hitting the crossbar and missing one on ones, chances that would have at the very least earned them a point. Full credit to Melbourne, who after losing Georg Neidermeier early to an ankle injury, not only managed to readjust to that loss after 5 minutes, but still kept a clean sheet. ultmiately, the class of MElbourne shone through, with goals to Kosta Barbarouses and Ola Toivonen, with the likes of Keisuke Honda and Terry Antonis rising to the occasion. The game itself never really hit any heights, but was certainly one for the passionate purists. As for Melbourne, they enjoy a five match winning streak and laying a marker down for the rest of the competition, and a challenge to Perth to keep up with the pace. To the Victory go the spoils tonight here at Marvel Stadium. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
If the Glory win tonight then both Melb V and Perth are really breaking away as the 2 title favourites.
perry cox
Roar Guru
92' - CHANCE Melbourne break, and Honda is dribbling it out, he finds the ball again in the area, and he blasts away, wide and high. But he wants to entertain. Meanwhile, Barbarouses off, Akbari on for a couple of minutes. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
91' - 4 minutes of stoppage time to be added, but this result looks locked away. Antonis tries to lob for a goal, but it's over the crossbar. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
90'
perry cox
Roar Guru
Yellow Card 89' - Josh Hope goes the tekkers, before earning a yellow for a cynical shirt pull after losing possession. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
84'
perry cox
Roar Guru
88' - Melbourne are turning it on now. The cream has risen it would appear. Adelaide are chasing shadows a little bit. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
86' - Melbourne make a sub, and somewhat ironically, Troisi comes off for Hope. James has played well tonight. Still don't know why he didn't start. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
85' - CHANCE Toivonen ultimately offside, but the run from Honda and the cross from the right, and finish by Toivonen would have been marvellous, but Izzo had it covered anyway. Nice passage of play. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
Yellow Card 84' - Vince Lia and Barbarouses earn yellows. Fair enough. And Lia is replaced by Konstandopoulos. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
84'
perry cox
Roar Guru
83' - And there's the melee. I'm blaming Barbarouses for this. Fair mid-air 50-50 challenge, and Barbarouses lands awkwardly, but gets up and starts the carry on. Nothing in it, until Barbarouses gets up. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
81'
perry cox
Roar Guru
Goal 81' - What a goal! A sweet one-two, Antonis lays off to Toivonen into the area, and finishes from the left past Izzo. That's the beautiful game people! What a goal. Melbourne Victory - 2 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
81' - And Goodwin has woken up, he rips a bullet at Thomas, who bobbles and re-catches, but ultimately, saves. Melbourne Victory - 1 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
80' - Adelaide with another change. Armieto debuts for Adelaide, and he comes on for Stamatelopoulos, who it must be said had a quiet night except for those missed chances. Melbourne Victory - 1 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
79' - A mis-timed cross floats towards goal, and Thomas just tips it over for a corner! This might be Adelaide's chance. Melbourne Victory - 1 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
78' - Toivonen earns a free kick, Melbourne are now slowing this game right down. Not exactly fun to watch, but smart professional play nonetheless. Melbourne Victory - 1 Adelaide United - 0
perry cox
Roar Guru
77' - Melbourne earn a corner from the free kick, but again, Adelaide looked scrappy just conceding the corner. Melbourne Victory - 1 Adelaide United - 0