Melbourne Victory’s unbeaten run in the NPL2 West came to an end with a 6-0 loss to Moreland City on Sunday.
Summary
In wet conditions at Epping Stadium, Moreland made a strong start and never looked back.
Jesse Makarounas and Stelios Konstantinidis scored before Matthew Reid netted a brace and Ratip Cileli and Osman Kose also struck, ending Victory’s unbeaten run at five.
Moreland adapted the quicker of the two teams and struck twice in the opening 15 minutes in driving rain.
Makarounas fired into the top corner from just inside the area for the opener before Konstantinidis tapped in an Apai Ukuno cross.
The visitor managed to net again before half-time, Reid picking out the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
Reid side-footed in a corner 11 minutes into the second half to extend Moreland’s lead, despite some brighter moments for Victory.
Cileli and Kose also netted in the final 20 minutes to complete a resounding win for Moreland.
Head coach Gareth Naven
“Effort wasn’t good enough today. It just wasn’t really important to us. It was a little bit better in the second half. Defensive distances were poor, got a little bit better, and focus wasn’t good enough, especially after the last month or so when it’s been very good.
“The thing is though they know what effort looks like and it’s about getting back to it. It provided an opportunity for Jack Morton, under-20 player getting his first senior game, gives an opportunity to So Nishikawa – under 20, a 2001 [born] – for his first game, a little bit of a taste of the intensity because the game was dead, the game was dead at 3-0.
“I just thought it’s a great reminder of where you are so today is one of those reminders that if we don’t consistently do the things that we’ve been doing over the past number of weeks, no matter who you are or your age or whatever team, you just can’t perform at your best. That’s what happened today. We were youth boys today.”
Under-20s
Victory’s under-20s had their clash against Moreland City postponed due to weather.
NPL2 West 2018 Round 17
Melbourne Victory 0
Moreland City 6 (Jesse Makarounas 7′, Stelios Konstantinidis 15′, Matthew Reid 38’/56′, Ratip Cileli 72′, Osman Kose 87′)
Melbourne Victory: Majak Mawith; Andrew Visciglio, Benjamin Carrigan (c), Aaron Anderson, Luke Goulding (So Nishikawa); Brady Quinn (Jack Morton), Thierry Iradukunda (Maker Maker); Liston Diaz, Nicholas Hatzigeorgiou, Yazid Said; Jack Palazzolo.
Next week
Victory makes the trip to Dunstan Reserve to face Brunswick City in Round 18.
