Roderick Miranda’s header was the difference as Melbourne Victory narrowly beat Western United 1-0 on Saturday night.
In what was Tony Popovic’s first game in-charge of the Victorian powerhouse, it was the Portuguese defender’s header that separated the two teams at full-time.
The first-half was a cagey affair, with few clear opportunities and an array of basic errors. To the bemusement of Victory fans, referee Lachlan Keevers appeared to lose his whistle.
Pouncing on a loose ball in the middle of the pitch in the 13th minute, Jason Geria broke through the heart of the Western United defence before being shouldered off the ball by Tomoki Imai.
Despite getting nowhere near the ball, the referee waved play-on as Victory fans voiced their displeasure.
The one clear chance of the half fell to Ben Garuccio after a great ball down the left to Connor Pain. Following his run, Pain fed the ball back inside the penalty area as Garuccio’s near post shot was easily kicked away by Victory keeper Ivan Kevala.
Jason Geria scored himself a yellow card in the 42nd minute for bringing down Pain at the halfway line. Two minutes later, Chris Ikonomidis was brought down on the edge of the box by Neil Kilkenny, only for play to be waved on.
In what was arguably the highlight of the half, Ikonomidis threw himself to the ground mimicking a dive as Popovic gave Keevers a verbal spray from the sideline.
The second-half started in much the same manner.
Victory appeared to have won a penalty in the 51st minute, as Roderick Miranda’s header from the second phase of a corner struck the hand of a Western United player’s hand in the box.
Once again, penalty shouts were waved away by the referee.
However, Victory’s set piece prominence finally created the decisive moment for the match. Miranda lost Aleksandar Prijovic at the front post before powering Jake Brimmer’s corner past a hapless Jamie Young.
There was time for more controversy, as Alessandro Diamanti toyed with Jason Davidson in the box, before being brought down as he cut back onto his right foot. Despite what looked like an obvious trip, the referee once again waved play-on.
Diamanti picked up a 91st minute yellow card compounding the home side’s frustration.
The win sees Victory climb up to second on the ladder ahead of their first home game of the season against Brisbane Roar next Sunday. Western United will welcome Daniel Sturridge and Perth Glory to AAMI Park next Friday looking for their first win of the season.
Western United 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (Miranda 75’)
Stadium: GMHBA (Geelong)
Referee: Lachlan Keevers
Assistant Referees: Owen Goldrick & Andrew Meimarakis
Fourth Official: Jack Morgan
Western United: Jamie YOUNG (GK), Josh RISDON, Tomoki IMAI, Leo LACROIX, Ben GARUCCIO, Neil KILKENNY, Steven LUSTICA, Alessandro DIAMANTI (C), Lachlan WALES Dylan PIERIAS 77’), Connor PAIN, Dylan WENZEL-HALLS (Aleksandar PRIJOVIC 62’)
Unused Subs: Ryan SCOTT, Nicolas MILANOVIC, Jerry SKOTADIS, Christian THEOHAROUS, Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
Melbourne Victory: Ivan KELAVA (GK), Jason GERIA, Brendan HAMILL, Roderick MIRANDA (C), Jason DAVIDSON (Stefan NIGRO 84’), Leigh BROXHAM, Rai Marchan, Jake BRIMMER, Ben FOLAMI (Nishan VELUPILLAY 64’), Chris IKONOMIDIS (Marco ROJAS 77’), Nicholas D’AGOSTINO (Francesco MARGIOTTA 64’)
Unused Subs: Robbie KRUSE, Jerrad TYSON, Jay BARNETT
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