Melbourne Victory was held to an entertaining 1-1 draw by the Central Coast Mariners in hot conditions in Geelong on Saturday.
Summary
Besart Berisha’s fine opener was cancelled out by Blake Powell in the 71st minute at GMHBA Stadium.
The result saw Victory stay in fourth on the table, behind Adelaide United on goal difference.
Victory made a good start and almost took a 17th-minute lead in the sweltering heat.
Leroy George did wonderfully down the left before seeing his shot saved by Ben Kennedy, with Berisha’s effort incredibly stopped on the line by Antony Golec.
Victory went close again 10 minutes later, Kosta Barbarouses’ strike smashing the crossbar after a through ball from James Troisi.
The Mariners threatened just before the break, Lawrence Thomas diving down low to his right to keep out an Asdrubal strike from the edge of the area.
Victory would take a deserved lead four minutes into the second half.
Berisha ran with the ball across the area from the right before rifling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner from just inside the box.
On debut, Dino Djulbic did wonderfully to deny Asdrubal moments later before Troisi was denied by Kennedy after being put in behind by George.
However, the Mariners levelled in the 71st minute, Powell tapping in after a cross from Lachlan Wales.
Jai Ingham had a glorious late chance for Victory from close range but put his effort wide as the spoils were shared.
Player in focus
Key moment
Result
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 14
Melbourne Victory 1 (Besart Berisha 49′)
Central Coast Mariners 1 (Blake Powell 71′)
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk), Geria, Djulbic (Broxham 81′), Milligan, Nigro, Valeri (c) (Antonis 81′), Sanchez, Troisi, Barbarouses, Berisha, George (Ingham 74′)
Central Coast Mariners: Kennedy (gk), McGing, Baro (c), Golec, Roux (Rose 86′), Hiariej, Brama, Hoole, Appiah-Kubi (Wales 70′), Asdrubal (Powell 70′), Pain
Yellow cards: Hoole 24′, Valeri 30′, Baro 35′, Wales 76′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBC
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Next up
Victory has a short turnaround before its next outing, visiting the Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday.
