Danny Allsopp and Robbie Middleby.

© Getty Images.

Melbourne Victory battled injury and suspension to record an impressive 0-0 draw against archrivals Sydney FC in front of almost 32,000 fans at Telstra Dome this evening.

Victory dominated proceedings in the carnival-like atmosphere of the big game and almost stole a late winner with Archie Thompson going inches wide in the dying stages.

The loss of players through suspension, injury and national team commitments saw Victory field a new look lineup for the blockbuster clash. Kevin Muscat moved back to defence alongside Steven Pace, while Daniel Vasilevski made his first starting appearance.

Carlos Hernandez’s run of form continued in the midfield alongside the impressive Grant Brebner and the Costa Rican almost had an early goal as a defensive clearance landed at his feet, only for the shot to fire into the side netting.

Victory’s defence gelled quickly and was called on a number of times as Sydney’s forwards created opportunities. Englishman Michael Bridges was amongst the action for the visitors and delivered a number of strikes, none of which could get past Michael Theoklitos.

Victory looked increasingly dangerous as a free kick from Hernandez found the chest of Allsopp, before the subsequent Matthew Kemp corner kick found the head of Muscat and was only kept out by a reflex save from Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton.

The second half opened with a flood of Victory chances almost breaking the deadlock. Hernandez, Thompson, Muscat and Kemp all had golden opportunities but couldn’t manage to convert.

Hernandez nailed a stunning free kick that was tipped over the crossbar, before Thompson received a precise through ball from the Costa Rican that forced Bolton off his line to make a telling save.

The Victory faithful were convinced Muscat had scored minutes later when the Captain fired a shot that beat Bolton and was denied only by the right post. The rebound fell to Kemp, who fired his shot over the crossbar.

Adrian Caceres replaced Leandro Love as both sides went in search of an elusive goal, opening up the contest and creating a continuous run of scoring opportunities.

FIFA World Cup winner Juninho was introduced to the match and his arrival almost paid off for Sydney when the Brazilian played a ball to Alex Brosque, who, like Muscat, had his shot prevented by the right post.

Victory had the crossbar to thank after a shot from Brosque deflected from Pace’s foot as the crowd of 31,884 rallied behind the home side.

Thompson almost delivered what would’ve been justice on 90 minutes when he played a delicate one-two with Caceres and fired a shot across the face of goal.

Neither side could break through as the match drew to a close, leaving Victory in sixth place on the Hyundai A-League ladder, two points outside of the top four.

Victory will now focus on its next fixture against Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium this Friday (kick off 8pm AEDT), before returning to Telstra Dome to face Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, 24 November (kick off 7pm).

Tickets for the match against Wellington are available through ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 136 100 or from any Ticketmaster outlet.

Victory memberships are still available through melbournevictory.com.au, by calling 1300 783 013 or from the Victory Shop, 236 Swan Street, Richmond.

Melbourne Victory 0
Sydney FC 0
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Referee: Mark Shield
Crowd: 31,884

Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 7.Matthew KEMP, 8.Grant BREBNER, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 15.Leandro LOVE (14.Adrian CACERES 61’), 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ (13.Kaz PATAFTA 80’), 17.Daniel VASILEVSKI, 18.Leigh BROXHAM, 24.Steven PACE

Substitutes not used: 19.Evan BERGER, 30.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)
Yellow cards: Grant Brebner 41’, Kevin Muscat 87’

Sydney FC: 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2.Iain FYFE, 4.Mark RUDAN, 6.Tony POPOVIC (Captain), 7.Robbie MIDDLEBY, 8.Ruben ZADKOVICH, 10.Steve CORICA (9.David ZDRILLIC 23’), 14.Alex BROSQUE, 16.Mark MILLIGAN, 23.Ufuk TALAY, 28.Michael BRIDGES (22.JUNINHO 70’)

Substitutes not used: 3.Nikolas TSATTALIOS, 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk)
Yellow cards: Iain Fyfe 32’