Melbourne Victory has kicked-off its pre-season campaign with a solid 2-1 win over Grant Brebner’s Richmond SC side at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Tuesday evening.
Melbourne Victory has kicked-off its pre-season campaign with a solid 2-1 win over Grant Brebner’s Richmond SC side at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Tuesday evening.
In the absence of a number of experienced players, Coach Ange Postecoglou was forced to name a young team for the clash with the Victorian Premier League outfit, which also featured several former Hyundai A-League players.
Press play on the video above to see the goals and highlights and also hear from Andrew Nabbout about the importance of the pre-season matches.
Richmond went ahead after just nine minutes into the encounter with a stunning, powerful strike, but after the early opener, Victory was able to control possession and looked threatening throughout the game.
Andrew Nabbout and Francesco Stella provided plenty of pace on the wings early and helped Victory control possession throughout the match.
Dylan Murnane, Adrian Leijer, Nick Ansell and youngster Luc Jeggo worked well together in defence, while Jimmy Jeggo, Leigh Broxham, Billy Celeski and Jesse Makarounas combined well in midfield.
Nabbout and Jeggo scored in quick succession after Victory began to control the game 15 minutes in, giving Victory a 2-1 lead at half-time. Neither side was able to add to their first half tally in the second stanza, with the score remaining at 2-1 at the final whistle.
Melbourne Victory was missing Nathan Coe, Mark Milligan, Mitch Nichols and Archie Thompson, away with the Socceroos, while Young Socceroos Scott Galloway, Jason Geria and Connor Pain were rested following their recent Under-20 FIFA World Cup commitments.
Next Tuesday will see the pre-season matches continue, with Postecoglou’s side to take on Bentleigh Greens at Kingston Heath Reserve from 7:30pm.
Melbourne Victory will open its Hyundai A-League campaign against cross-town rival Heart at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, October 12.
Melbourne Victory 2 (J. Jeggo, Nabbout)
Richmond SC 1 (Armenian)
Melbourne Victory XI:
Nick Ansell, Leigh Broxham, Billy Celeski, Jimmy Jeggo, Luc Jeggo, Adrian Leijer ©, Jesse Makarounas, Dylan Murnane, Andrew Nabbout, Francesco Stella (Chris Cristaldo 52′), Lawrence Thomas (gk)
Story pic credit: Frank Khamees, Sportsgraphy
