Western United FC
3
Match Complete
Melbourne Victory
1
| B. Hamill |  | 85' | ||
| J. Skotadis | | 84' | ||
| J. Aspropotamitis | | 75' | ||
| E. GA 1/4 lA 1/4 m | | 63' | ||
| 53' | | J. Donachie | ||
| A. Diamanti | | 45' | ||
| B. Berisha |  | 43' | ||
| 29' | | A. TraorA(C) | ||
| P. Kone | | 24' | ||
| B. Berisha | | 17' | ||
| 14' | | A. Nabbout |
| 12 | Shots | 19 | ||
| 5 | On Target | 6 | ||
| 14 | Fouls | 15 | ||
| 3 | Corners | 13 | ||
| 0 | Offsides | 3 | ||
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 | ||
| 5 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
Match result:
Western United retain bragging rights as they defeated Melbourne Victory 3-1 courtesy a brace from Besart Berisha, a dagger into his former team, at the GMHBA Stadium.
The game started off in exhilarating fashion, with Victory gaining first blood as Andrew Nabbout opening the scoring with a brilliant run followed by an even better finish in the 14th minute.
Victory barely had any time to enjoy their lead as United equalised just as fast, with Berisha getting in behind the defence to put head the ball in.
It only took seven more minutes for United to take the lead, as Panagiotis Kone put away Alessandro Diamanti’s cross from the free kick.
Berisha added another before half-time to cap off a brilliant half of football, and also meant that the initiative was on Victory to take the game in the next 45 minutes.
Mark Rudan was happy for his team to sit back, with their first ball in the box coming in stoppage time, and Victory failed to find a way to break down the deep defence of Western United.
Another loss for Melbourne Victory leaves them 10th in the ladder, their lowest after nine fixtures, and there will be plenty of questions for Marco Kurz to answer in the next week.
The Perth Glory win last week seems to have been a false dawn, and the pressure will be starting to mount on the former Adelaide United coach.
As for Western United, they have shut down their two-game losing run with a huge, deserved win against their Melbourne rivals which currently leaves them in third place.
Final score
Western United 3
Melbourne Victory 1
Match preview:
The second round of the Melbourne derby between Western United and Melbourne Victory will take place as both sides hope to gain or regain bragging rights over their rivals at the GMHBA Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4pm (AEDT).
The last time these two teams met in round four, United enacted a huge comeback to turn a 2-0 deficit into three points as former Victory striker Besart Berisha stole the show.
Coach Mark Rudan will be hoping that this time there is no need for a reversal and that United can, for once, start on the front foot.
Rudan has had troubles motivating his team from the first whistle as they fall behind in games regularly before staging a heroic comeback.
More recently though, the new A-League team has had problems showing up at all, with two consecutive defeats against lower ranked sides Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets.
After their own struggles, Victory will be hoping that last week’s win against Perth Glory can kick start their season.
A United low on form at the moment might be the perfect time for Marco Kurz to earn some revenge from their previous defeat.
A must-win match for both teams – United will be falling into crisis territory if they lose for the third time in a row, while Victory already facing plenty of questions – means that this derby will carry an extra bit of importance to go alongside the fiery passion.
Prediction
The second meeting of these two teams will end with a draw. More afraid to lose, and two teams that have strategies that require the other team to attack and then be caught in transition will mean that there will be few openings for either one to take.
Where: GMHBA Stadium
When: 8 December 2019, 4pm AEDT
Betting odds: Western United $2.20, Draw $3.50, Melbourne Victory $3.25
Shabab Hossain
Expert
That's all from me folks, thanks for joining The Roar for coverage between Western United and Melbourne Victory. Please do join us for the final match of Round 9 -- Adelaide United vs Newcastle Jets.
Shabab Hossain
Expert
Western United retain bragging rights as they defeat Melbourne Victory 3-1 courtesy a brace from Besart Berisha, a dagger into his former team, at the GMHBA Stadium. The game started off in exhilarating fashion, with Victory gaining first blood as Andrew Nabbout opening the scoring with a brilliant run followed by an even better finish in the 14th minute. Victory barely had any time to enjoy their lead as United equalised just as fast, with Berisha getting in behind the defence to put head the ball in. It only took seven more minutes for United to take the lead, as Panagiotis Kone put away Alessandro Diamanti's cross from the free kick. Berisha added another before half-time to cap off a brilliant half of football, and also meant that the initiative was on Victory to take the game in the next 45 minutes. Mark Rudan was happy for his team to sit back, with their first ball in the box coming in stoppage time, and Victory failed to find a way to break down the deep defence of Western United. Another loss for Melbourne Victory leaves them 10th in the ladder, their lowest after 9 fixtures, and there will be plenty of questions for Marco Kurz to answer in the next week. The Perth Glory win last week seems to have been a false dawn, and the pressure will be starting to mount of the former Adelaide United coach. As for Western United, they have shut down their two game losing run with a huge, deserved win against their Melbourne rivals which currently leaves them in 3rd place.
Mark
Guest
They started after the third goal
Shabab Hossain
Expert
FULL TIME Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90 + 3′ – Pierias gets past his man and puts in a low ball into the box but Stametelopolous hits it wide. Western United – 3 Melbourne Victory – 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90 + 2' - Diamanti goes for a shot from the corner, and it's on target. Thomas forced to tip it over. Brilliant technique from the Italian. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90 + 2' - United counter in what is probably their first attack of the second half. Diamanti crosses it in and Traore heads it out for a corner. Perfect situtation for United. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90 + 1'- Donachie goes on a heroic run into the box and powers a shot which is saved by Kurto. The rebound falls to Athiu who blazes it over, how many times have we seen that over the years? Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I think I can hear boos starting now.
Shabab Hossain
Expert
Western United have everyone back in their own half, hell even their own final third. Victory's only answer is to cross, but there's way too many United defenders there. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
90' - 5 minutes of additional time. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
Two losses from two in this fixture for Victory. Who would've thought that at the start of the season?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
A nice way to kick off the rivalry. No doubt there will be some desire for retribution on the return fixture!
Shabab Hossain
Expert
88' - Athiu gets in behind the defence but Kurto comes off his line to head away the chipped ball. Oh, referee calls offside on Athiu's run, so wouldn't have counted if anything came of it. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
Just not happening for the victory at the moment. Two minutes plus added time to score two goals. Seems a dream at the moment. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
86' - Josh Hope gets to the byline but then one bad touch and the ball goes out for a goal kick. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
85'
Shabab Hossain
Expert
85' - Brendan Hamill now into the books as he drags Kruse back who was just about to find some free space. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
Shabab Hossain
Expert
84' - Poulsen goes for the cross and Donachie heads it over. Offside anyway. Western United - 3 Melbourne Victory - 1
84'