Photos (Top to Bottom): Victory's Rodrigo Vargas failed to stop Alex Terra, who set up Heart's first goal; Adrian Leijer of Melbourne Victory became the first player to be booked in the inaugural derby when referee Ben Williams showed him a yellow card in the 22nd minute for a foul on Aziz Behich; Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick said Heart deserved the win [PlessPix]
Melbourne Heart are in 8th place on the A-League ladder after they beat Melbourne Victory 2-1 in the first Melbourne derby at AAMI Park tonight before a crowd of 25,897.
Victory are sixth on the ladder and have 11 points, the same as Heart.
Heart used the flanks to perfection. Every time Rutger Worm and Alex Terra moved inside up front, fullbacks Aziz Behich and Michael Marrone charged forward to deliver dangerous crosses into the centre.
Heart played the final quarter of an hour with 10 men after Behich was sent off for fouling Robbie Kruse and collecting a second yellow card.
John Aloisi headed Heart in front in the 10th minute after Wayne Srhoj released Terra down the right. The Brazilian beat a lunging tackle from Rodrigo Vargas and delivered an accurate cross for Aloisi to head downwards past Michael Petkovic.
Victory should have been level in the 19th minute when Carlos Hernandez floated a chip into the box, but Ricardinho side-footed narrowly wide with keeper Clint Bolton off his line.
Josip Skoko fired wide for Heart in the 24th minute after an intricate build-up which had Victory defending desperately.
Aloisi almost put Heart further ahead in the 31st minute when the marauding Marrone crossed to the near post from the right, but he hit the post from close range.
Kruse made it 1-1 in the 37th minute. Kevin Muscat sent in a quick free-kick from deep on the right and Kruse nipped in before Srhoj could cut out the ball and clipped it inside the far post.
Terra, the former Fluminense player, hit the winner for Heart in the 56th minute when he netted from close range after Worm’s in-swinging right-foot cross from wide on the left had eluded both Muscat and Grant Brebner.
Marrone also defended well on the night and, in the 70th minute, his last-ditch tackle foiled substitute Geoff Kellaway, who had been put through by Hernandez.
A minute later, Victory’s Hernandez fluffed a clear-cut chance from point-blank range, heading Adrian Leijer’s right-wing cross over the bar.
The dismissal of Behich tipped the scales in Victory’s favour, but Heart resisted admirably and held on for the three points.
Victory coach Ernie Merrick was gracious in defeat. He said Heart were the better side and fully deserved their win. He expressed disappointment in his own team’s performance.
5 comments:
Good game, had a real football atmosphere. victory will get there
Tremendous atmosphere at the game. I always thought Heart would be a decent team once they got used to playing with each other. To me the result was a just reward for a 4-3-3 played well.
Van t' Schip has done a good job. What concerns me about Ernie Merrick is his attitude towards the ACL. That Victory have to worry about their own game not the opposition's was his mantra in the ACL.
Merrick was out thought in last Friday's game. He changed the personnel (Broxham/Brebner) but not the formation.
Casual Observer
The standard of the A League is definitely improving. It was terrific seeing a match like this taking place in Australia.
Decentric
I visit this blog so many time,because every time something new,and I read all articale your blog, very interesting.
Congratulation on your win guys!
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