Melbourne Victory vs Western Sydney Wanderers 16/2/2013 7:45PM

Match Report: From Goal.Com

Western Sydney proved again they are the real deal on Saturday night, holding off the Melbourne Victory to win 2-1 in their A-League clash at AAMI Park.

 

Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono scored in the first and second half respectively for the visitors, with Connor Pain's well-taken goal arriving too late for Victory to find a way back into the match.

 

The Wanderers have now won six matches in succession, and the first-year team continue to shape as genuine title contenders with the A-League finals fast approaching.

 

Tony Popovic's side, second on the table, are now five points ahead of third-placed Victory.

 

Victory, with new signing Daniel Mullen debuting at centre-back, controlled possession early in the game, but it was the Wanderers who opened the scoring in the 11th minute.

 

Adrian Leijer was unable to clear Ono's curling free-kick, and La Rocca got to the loose ball first, slotting beyond Nathan Coe to make it 1-0.

 

Conceding against the run of play knocked Victory's confidence, and they had difficulty regaining control of possession.

 

The hosts, missing the injured Archie Thompson, were restricted to half-chances throughout the opening 45 minutes.

 

Their best opportunity fell to Marcos Flores in the 20th minute, but the Argentine dwelled in possession and allowed the Wanderers defence to intercept.

 

At the other end, Dino Kresinger headed wide for the visitors, while Ono and La Rocca both sent speculative efforts over the bar.

 

Mullen was withdrawn for James Jeggo just past the hour mark, prompting Leigh Broxham to drop back to the defence.

 

It was a solid enough effort from the former Adelaide United man and he at least looked more assured than partner Leijer.

 

The Victory captain had a shaky evening, and almost gifted the Wanderers a goal in the 54th minute when he attempted a back-pass unsighted, allowing Youssouf Hersi through on goal, but the Dutchman shot wide.

 

On 72 minutes, the Wanderers did make it 2-0 when Hersi cut inside and shot at Coe, who could only parry the ball into the path of Ono.

 

The Japanese star made no mistake from the rebound, guiding his effort into the roof of the net.

 

That goal looked like settling it, but the hosts, toothless for much of the game, unexpectedly pounced three minutes later to keep the match alive.

 

Billy Celeski played in Pain and the youngster, on as a substitute for Flores, showed pace and strength to beat Jerome Polenz, before netting past Ante Covic with a cool finish to the far post.

 

But no equaliser was forthcoming, as Popovic's impressive outfit bagged all three points on their first visit to Melbourne.

Fantastic. Well done to the team and the fans. Its just great to see. We miss Tony P at the Palace, but so pleased with what he is doing for the Wanderers.

 

Everyone keep going and you will succeed. 

 

Good Luck

Great to see someone from the UK having a look at what a great job Popa is doing for our boys. We are truly having a magical season. We would have been happy to get a few wins for the season, but to think. We can actually challenge for the title is absolutely amazing.

At least you know which team to support if you ever come for a trip to Sydney. Top stuff :good:

Nice article here:

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/blogs.aspx?CIaBEID=4012

For once KA decided to post an article relatively on time instead of waiting 3 days after it was written!

How lazy is Mack. He never wrote up a post-game article

Just watched the replay of this earlier and being able to hear "This colours unite us all' loud and clear for nearly 10 minutes towards the end was awesome.

That's because NT were having security/police issues at the time

I know Mack has closed down the thread re Sunrise, but just to keep folk in the loop I've had some correspondence from Media Watch after i asked them to look at the stories run by the Herald Sun and by 'Kochie's Komics'...it'll probably not go much further but if anyone is interested in the process/result let me know.

That's because NT were having security/police issues at the time

No issues at all actually

I know Mack has closed down the thread re Sunrise, but just to keep folk in the loop I've had some correspondence from Media Watch after i asked them to look at the stories run by the Herald Sun and by 'Kochie's Komics'...it'll probably not go much further but if anyone is interested in the process/result let me know.

I am interested in knowing what the result was, PM if you need to...

 

I know Mack has closed down the thread re Sunrise, but just to keep folk in the loop I've had some correspondence from Media Watch after i asked them to look at the stories run by the Herald Sun and by 'Kochie's Komics'...it'll probably not go much further but if anyone is interested in the process/result let me know.

 

I am interested in knowing what the result was, PM if you need to...

Still ongoing...look in your PM box though RBB14

That's because NT were having security/police issues at the time

 

No issues at all actually

What's this gee up!

I hope that by showing them what we've got, it pushes them to be better, louder, more colourful, etc. than they already are. I hope that they realise we're nipping at their heels and they're going to need to stay one step ahead. 

Actually I believe that the arrival of the RBB is making all the other active support try and lift their game. Have a look at the Squadron, Marinators and as much as I hate to say it, Cove... All of whom have increased their presence ten-fold this season in comparison to the crap they served up previously

Yes. If anything I'm sure all other active support groups must agree on is the arrival of the RBB has made everyone lift their game.

As one of the Cove members once said on the SFC forum's, RBB's Notoriety has gotten all the other active supports around the country stopping and having a look at themselves and doing all they can to do more and more, becoming more active and engaging in new chants and trying to make a better atmosphere, basically trying to not fall to far behind RBB.

As one of the Cove members once said on the SFC forum's, RBB's Notoriety has gotten all the other active supports around the country stopping and having a look at themselves and doing all they can to do more and more, becoming more active and engaging in new chants and trying to make a better atmosphere, basically trying to not fall to far behind RBB.

nothing wrong that. Nothing worse than a 1 or 2 sided competition

 

As one of the Cove members once said on the SFC forum's, RBB's Notoriety has gotten all the other active supports around the country stopping and having a look at themselves and doing all they can to do more and more, becoming more active and engaging in new chants and trying to make a better atmosphere, basically trying to not fall to far behind RBB.

 

nothing wrong that. Nothing worse than a 1 or 2 sided competition

This can only be good for the sport!

As one of the Cove members once said on the SFC forum's, RBB's Notoriety has gotten all the other active supports around the country stopping and having a look at themselves and doing all they can to do more and more, becoming more active and engaging in new chants and trying to make a better atmosphere, basically trying to not fall to far behind RBB.

I tell you what, in addition to the 'active' side of things, it is also the case that many clubs are now looking to the Wanderers for a few pointers as to how to be a success. WSW has demonstrated the enormous value in defining a club culture, long term vision, stability, playing style/system, recruitment policy, community engagement etc. The results we are getting on and off the park are a direct result of this.

never said there was anything wrong, i agree we need the rest of the leagues supporter bases to lift their games up, thats is the only way we can lift the game even further in Australia!

I have to say Melbourne Victory has that useless big thumping drum, that just seems to drown everyone out including their own supporters.

I think it sounds awesome, the only part of their support that is enviable.

Unfortunately yes, they don't use it very well

Here's a clip from the Victory game before kick off

Great video.

Thanks Mate, sorry I didn't bump into you down Mexico way and buy you a beer.  Took the kids to the pub before the game and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Total respect to you for reassuring me that they'd be ok. They were made to feel welcome by all our Wanderers family there.  They even got a cheer when we entered the pub.   Made them feel special.

Glad they enjoyed it. It's an experience they'll never forget.

lol notice the cops seem to be telling the boys sitting on the wall to get down. but that boys standing they say nothing too. 

maybe they are telling them to get up and chant! melbourne cops love RBB!

lol notice the cops seem to be telling the boys sitting on the wall to get down. but that boys standing they say nothing too. 

 

maybe they are telling them to get up and chant! melbourne cops love RBB!

If you look closer there are more then 2 sitting on the wall .. only two were told to get off and then they followed the cops ... what happened there?

I think it may have been because they were wearing handkerchiefs over their faces, preventing faces from being seen on CCTV? and not because they were on the wall. I was also on the wall whilst filming and was not asked to move

I think it may have been because they were wearing handkerchiefs over their faces, preventing faces from being seen on CCTV? and not because they were on the wall. I was also on the wall whilst filming and was not asked to move

Thats my point, multiple other people also sitting on fence but two walked away with coppers? ... interesting.

In the entrance to the mall next to the pub was a book fair.  They were attempting to hold an awards ceremony whilst all the chanting was going on,hence a few complaints... lol

Those 2 that were told to move by the cops looked underage to me, perhaps thats why?