A dramatic late winner from Luca Da Silva saw Melbourne Victory overcome the North Sunshine Eagles 1-0 in the NPL 3 Victoria on Saturday.
Summary
Da Silva’s 95th-minute free-kick floated into the top corner to earn Victory all three points in windy conditions at Larissa Reserve.
The strike handed Victory three points as the season resumed following a coronavirus-enforced break.
Going into the wind in the first half, Victory dominated possession, but both teams struggled to create clear-cut-chances.
Gianluca Iannucci saw a tame effort saved and William Wilson had another shot blocked in what was a tight tussle in the opening 45 minutes.
There were more opportunities for both teams in the second half, with Matthew Bozinovski drawing a straightforward save from North Sunshine goalkeeper Zaim Zeneli in the 48th minute after an Iannucci set-piece.
The host had a huge chance with seven minutes remaining as Daniel Duzel sent a side-footed effort wide from inside the area.
Victory, attacking with the wind in the second half, pushed hard late.
Adem Duratovic almost found a winner, only to be denied by a goal-line block following Ryan Lethlean’s cutback.
Wilson had a powerful strike saved by Zeneli before almost finding Lethlean with a cutback from the right.
But the winner would arrive through Da Silva, whose late set-piece floated into the top corner to give Victory three points.
NPL 3 Victoria 2021 Round 18
North Sunshine Eagles 0
Melbourne Victory U21s 1 (Luca Da Silva 90+5′)
Melbourne Victory U21s: Marko Bulic (gk); Thomas Lambiris, Matthew Bozinovski, Aisen Ishak, Edmond Lupancu; William Wilson, Anthony Leban (Luca Da Silva); Adem Duratovic, Josh Varga (Jimmy Paneras), Gianluca Iannucci (Darcy Anastovski); Ryan Lethlean.
