Melbourne City steal draw at the end of an injury delayed game

The game got off to a quick start when Adelaide’s relentless pressing caused Melbourne City to pass backwards into their own box, causing Marco Tilio to fumble possession.

Ethan Alagich pounced on the loose ball and then laid off an assist for George Blackwood who calmly converted in front of the City faithful.

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After the early game slip up Melbourne City focused on retaining possession and controlling the game. This led to Melbourne City winning the corner in the 12^th minute which Valon Berisha stood up to take. Berisha placed a perfect corner into the run of Thomas Lam, which allowed him to score his first goal for Melbourne City.

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However, only five minutes later Adelaide were able to win a corner of their own which Ryan Kitto was able to get his head onto and place the ball into the top left corner to give Adelaide back the lead.

In the 28^th minute, Blackwood attempted to win an aerial duel but landed on top of his teammate Kitto leading to an awkward landing, which saw Blackwood reach for his knee immediately. Moments later he was replaced by Hiroshi Ibusuki.

Another error at the back for City led to Adelaide getting their third for the afternoon. Jordan Bos played a dangerous pass across the face of his own goal which Craig Goodwin was able to capitalise on, hitting it first time with power which left Tom Glover with no chance of stopping it.

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At the start of the second half, Vidosic, looking to get back into the game decided to make two changes. He opted to take off Tilio and goal scorer Lam.

Leckie opted to take the initiative of his own by getting the ball on the left wing and then cutting inside to take a shot from outside the box which was able to beat Joe Gauci to the bottom right corner.

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At the 65^th minute mark Juande slid into a tackle onto Florin Berenguer, but a loud crack was heard throughout the stands. It looked like Juande came off worse, suffering a gruesome lower leg injury.

After a lengthy stoppage due to Juande’s horrific injury Melbourne City were able to come out fighting with Maclaren firing off a shot that just went wide of the post.

As soon as the game ticked into injury time, Bos was able to make a run into the box where he was then fouled leading to Jamie Maclaren stepping up to take a penalty kick which he expertly converted into the bottom right corner.

Melbourne City FC 3  (Lam 12’, Leckie 51’ Maclaren 90’)

Adelaide United 3 (Blackwood 1’, Kitto 17’, Goodwin 43’)

Stadium: AAMI Park

Referee: Adam Kersey

Assistant Referees: George Lakrindis, Peter Jaworski

Melbourne City FC: Thomas GLOVER (GK), Thomas LAM (Nuno REIS 45’), Mathew LECKIE Richard VAN DER VENNE, Jamie MACLAREN (C), Aiden O’NEILL (Scott JAMIESON 83’), Valon BERISHA (Florin BERENGUER 61’), Curtis GOOD, Marco TILIO (Andrew NABBOUT 45’), Callum TALBOT, Jordan BOS

Unused Subs: Scott GALLOWAY, Taras GOMULKA, Matthew SUTTON (GK)

Adelaide United: Joe GAUCI (GK), Louis D’ARRIGO, Ryan KITTO, Isaías, Zach CLOUGH (Jonny YULL 66’), Craig GOODWIN (C), George BLACKWOOD (Hiroshi IBUSUKI 29’), Javi LÓPEZ, Benjamin HALLORAN, Alexander POPOVIĆ, Ethan ALAGICH (Juande 59’) (Nicholas ANSELL 66’)

Unused Subs: James DELIANOV (GK), Joshua CAVALLO, Nestory IRANKUNDA

Featured image credit: Jordan Trombetta