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The Western Sydney Wanderers have taken themselves to within one point of first place with a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park tonight.
The Western Sydney Wanderers have closed the distance between themselves and first place with a 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park tonight.
The Wanderers win also sees Melbourne Victory receive their first loss at AAMI Park this season.
Western Sydney welcomed back captain Michael Beauchamp from injury in style as the win now sees them a mere point behind league leaders Central Coast.
With the three points Western Sydney steer themselves five points clear of the third-placed Melbourne Victory.
The Wanderers held the advantage 1-0 at half time, with their goal coming through defender Iacopo La Rocca in the 11th minute, following a brilliant Shinji Ono free kick.
Ono also secured his side’s second goal following a fumble by Victory keeper Nathan Coe as the result of midfielder Youssouf Hersi’s attempt on goal in the 72nd minute.
Melbourne Victory’s lone goal came through substitute Connor Pain in the 75th minute, as Pain received a brilliant through ball from the in-form Billy Celeski
New recruit young Australian defender Daniel Mullen slotted into the Melbourne Victory’s starting eleven, following his signing by the club earlier in the week.
The addition of Mullen helped to fill the void left by defender Nick Ansell following the groin injury he sustained two weeks ago against Melbourne Heart.
Melbourne Victory were also missing the experience and presence of injured forward Archie Thompson and suspended defender Adama Traore.
The Victory had a great start within the first few minutes of the game, however following the quick-fire Wanderers goal they seemed to remain on the back foot; most of the first half being played down Western Sydney’s attacking end.
Melbourne Victory kept themselves in the game with many chances aside from their goal coming in the second half- the most notable coming through Andrew Nabbout following a pass from Marco Rojas in the 51st minute.
However the Wanderers weren’t without chances to increase their lead- their best opportunity coming as the result of an errant back pass from captain Adrian Leijer which almost gifted Hersi a goal in the 55th minute.
Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou said the he was disappointed with his side’s performance, stating that there was ‘nothing positive about it.’
“There’s no point looking for positives in a defeat,” he said.
When asked about the opposition, Postecoglou said that the Wanderers were simply ‘ok’.
Postecoglou was also adamant that his side still remains a chance to win the championship.
“Is there something in the rules that says we can’t win it from here?” he said.
“We’re a football club that tries to win every game we play.
“Until it’s mathematically impossible, why wouldn’t you keep trying to be the best you can be?”
Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said he was ‘delighted’ with his side’s win, as this victory takes the Wanderer’s to six wins in a row.
“We’ve continued with a long run of games where we’ve been performing well- and today was another one, in a tough environment against an excellent side,” he said.
“We’re very happy to get the 2-1 win.”
Referee Peter Green had a relatively standard night issuing three yellow cards and no reds.
Melbourne Victory will breathe a sigh of relief despite their loss, as they manage to retain third position- this the result of Adelaide United’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sydney FC earlier today.
The Victory will look to atone against the top-seated Central Coast at Bluetongue Stadium next week, whilst Western Sydney will aim to further their chances at the minor premiership against bottom placed Perth Glory at Parramatta Stadium.
Final Score:
Western Sydney Wanderers 2 (La Rocca 11’, Ono 72’)
–
Melbourne Victory 1 (Pain 75’)
Attendance: 21,638 @ AAMI Park, Melbourne
Maddi Vantarakis 