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Melbourne Victory
2
Match Complete
Western United FC
3
| 89' |  | B. Berisha | ||
| 82' | | D. Jertec | ||
| 75' | | J. Risdon | ||
| 51' |  | S. McDonald | ||
| 29' | | J. Donachie | ||
| 16' | | A. Diamanti | ||
| 11' | | C. Pain | ||
| K. Dobras | | 7' | ||
| O. Toivonen | | 6' |
| 16 | Shots | 10 | ||
| 3 | On Target | 4 | ||
| 14 | Fouls | 10 | ||
| 7 | Corners | 1 | ||
| 0 | Offsides | 0 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
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Western United defeated Melbourne Victory by three goals to two in what was an astonishing night of A-League football at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
With Besart Berisha’s return to Melbourne to face his old team providing the most popular headline to the contest, tensions and expectations were high for what was the first-ever derby between the two clubs.
Early on it appeared United may have been well beyond their depth. When Ola Toivonen and Kristijan Dobras found the net within the first seven minutes, the new kids on the block looked to be stunned kangaroos in the headlights.
However, there is something about this Mark Rudan fella that reeks of toughness and courage and his troops displayed those characteristics as they pulled back the lead to head to the sheds at 2-2.
The Victory fans were stunned, in fact, the United fans were as well, but it set up a terrific context for the second half.
There was to be far less expansive play after the break and Scott McDonald’s first goal for his new club in the 51st minute was to provide the difference between the two teams, despite Victory having the best of the play throughout much of the second 45.
Western United now move deep into the six and face the Wanderers at home next weekend, while Victory will enjoy a home fixture against the Phoenix where they will need three points or else.
For so long, fans of the A-League waited for expansion. Did they want the new teams to be this good? I’m not sure.
However, the addition of Western United has certainly added a layer of interest to the league.
If they keep winning, the title favourites might be starting to take notice of what appears to be a serious football team.
Final score
Melbourne Victory 2
Western United 3
Melbourne Victory and Western United face off in the first ever ‘Westgate Derby’. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
After something of a sluggish start to the season. Marco Kurz will have his squad primed to make a real statement to the new boys on the block when they meet at Marvel Stadium tonight.
With just one win to show for their efforts so far this season, the Victory have impressed no one with their play.
Things have looked a little clunky up front, no doubt as a result of the losses of Kosta Barbarouses and James Troisi in recent times.
Ola Toivonen is still there but to this point, has been unable to unlock the new combinations that Victory will need should they be challengers this season.
Mark Rudan has Western United sitting inside the top six in their debut season and they have been more than competitive in each of their opening three matches.
Level on points, a win tonight sees the victor take a serious step forward early in the season and be allowed a deep breath or two as the flurry of matches over the summer break loom.
Besart Berisha appears to have begun business as usual back in Melbourne and Rudan will have been furious that his team conceded late against 10 men in the club’s first-ever derby last weekend against Melbourne City.
Alessandro Diamanti and Scott McDonald have started the season well for United and Andrew Durante has marshalled his defence quite well in what is a new defensive combination and structure.
Victory suffered a hammer blow with the hamstring injury to Andrew Nabbout last weekend and are still without Robbie Kruse.
In better news for United, Johnathon Aspropotamitis comes back in and brings their squad to near full strength.
This match should attract a bumper crowd and plenty of passion in the terraces.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Where: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
When: Saturday 2nd November 2019, 7:30pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Sports, Kayo Sport, MyFootball live app
Betting: Melbourne Victory $1.95 Draw $2.55 Western United $3.95
Melbourne Victory
2.Storm Roux, 3.Corey Brown, 4.James Donachie, 6.Leigh Broxham, 7.Kenny Athiu, 8.Jakob Poulsen, 11.Ola Toivonen (C), 14.Thomas Deng, 16.Josh Hope, 17.Elvis Kamsoba, 18.Migjen Basha, 19.Ben Carrigan, 20.Lawrence Thomas (Gk), 21.Adama Traore, 22.Kristijan Dobras, 24.Anthony Lesiotis, 25.Brandon Lauton, 30.Matthew Sutton (Gk), 50.Brendan White (Gk)
Western United
1.Filip Kurto (Gk), 2.Aaron Calver, 3.Brendan Hamill, 4.Andrew Durante, 5.Dylan Pierias, 6.Connor Chapman, 8.Panagiotis Kone, 10.Scott Mcdonald, 11.Connor Pain, 12.Dario Jertec, 13.Ivan Vujica, 14.Max Burgess, 15.Jonathan Aspropotamitis, 17.Joshua Cavallo, 18.Besart Berisha, 19.Josh Risdon, 20.James Delianov (Gk), 22.Ersan Gulum, 23.Alessandro Diamanti, 26.Kwabena Appiah-Kubi
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