Melbourne Victory managed to salvage a draw against Western Sydney Wanderers, finishing the exciting A-League contest at AAMI Park with a score of 2-2 on Saturday night. The outcome keeps Victory second on the league table, even as their winless streak extends to four matches following head coach Patrick Kisnorbo's abrupt departure.
The match kicked off with both teams displaying fervent energy, but it was Melbourne Victory who first broke the deadlock. Roderick Miranda opened the scoring for the hosts, converting a flick-on from Zinedine Machach just past the half-hour mark, pushing the team one step closer to solidifying their position among the league's elite.
Though Western Sydney seemed to threaten with multiple attempts—including Brandon Borrello hitting the post and including close chances from Zac Sapsford—the Wanderers found themselves equalizing just before the halftime whistle. A defensive error by Miranda gifted Aydan Hammond the opportunity to find the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Moving to the second half, the tension was palpable. The Wanderers eventually took the lead through Nicolas Milanovic, who capitalized on another misstep from the Victory defense. Slicing through the penalty area and registering his effort with precision, Milanovic's goal shifted the momentum and left the home side reeling, trailing by one.
But Melbourne Victory wasn't ready to concede. With time running out, they were awarded a lifeline thanks to the VAR system. Jack Clisby was penalized for handball after blocking Nishan Velupillay’s shot, prompting Ryan Teague to step up and calmly convert the resulting penalty. This goal marked the 87th minute of play and revived the hopes of the Victory supporters, who were desperate for points.
"A point tonight puts us in second position, that's something to be pretty proud of and pretty happy with," said Interim Coach Arthur Diles after the match. His team now sits just behind Auckland FC and remains within reach of the top spot, with flashes of promise amid the struggles of recent weeks.
For the Wanderers, the results felt bittersweet. Despite leading the match late, they could not seal the victory. Coach Alen Stajcic expressed his frustration over the VAR decision, questioning the handball rule's application. "Pretty disappointed not to get the three points. We fought hard," he remarked, highlighting the team's strong performance and determination throughout the match.
With this result, Western Sydney is now seventh on the table, three points adrift from the playoff spots. Their coach noted, "When we finally did fight back and get the lead, I thought we earned it at this period. We just lost the flow of the game in the last 10 minutes, which was disappointing." The Wanderers have attempted to find consistency, yet the failure to convert leads continues to plague their season.
Looking forward, both teams have much to work on. The Victory's focus will be on their attacking strategies and improving defensive solidity, especially with the pressure mounting post-Kisnorbo. Meanwhile, the Wanderers must build on their strong periods during matches to secure more wins and improve their standings as the season progresses.
The clash not only showcased the intensity of A-League competition but also set the stage for both teams as they aim for success leading up to the mid-season break. Next matches will be pivotal as both squads aim to reinforce their positions with fans hopeful for exciting plays and decisive victories.