Those lucky enough to tune in on Friday night witnessed one of the best A-League games of the season as Melbourne Victory trumped Adelaide United 3-2, despite only putting the ball into the back off their own boot once. Here are the match ratings from the Round 8 clash.
Match Report > Adelaide win continues Victory hot-streak
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GK: Nathan Coe – 6.5
Coe made a few decent saves on the night but was mostly untroubled by the Adelaide attack. He could do nothing to stop Mabil’s goal and likewise with Carrusca’s penalty. However, one aspect of his performance that would have pleased the coaching staff was his assured and much improved aerial display in dealing with corners and balls into the box.
RB: Scott Galloway – 6
Another respectable outing from the youngster whose progression must be pleasing for all at the Victory. At times he handed Craig Goodwin too much space down the left – as was evident with the first goal – but his overall defensive work was encouraging with his one notable forward run resulting in a shot that just flashed wide of goal.
CB: Adrian Leijer – 6.5
The much-maligned Victory veteran put in another solid shift at the heart of the defence, making some crucial interceptions as well as being strong aerially. Was responsible for giving away the contentious penalty while his positioning for the first goal could be called into question as he left Broxham in the centre of defence badly exposed.
✮ CB: Leigh Broxham (1 goal) – 7.5 ✮
For so long the quiet achiever of the team, Broxham seems to have stepped his game up a level this season with another lionhearted effort. Popped up at the back post to head in Victory’s third goal (just his fourth in 163 appearances) but it was his astute work at the centre of defence that won him the plaudits, on several occasions pushing Djite out wide when the tall striker appeared to be through on goal.
LB: Daniel Georgievski – 5.5
Struggled against the lightning-quick Mabil in the first half with the youngster constantly beating the Macedonian and creating chances for the away side. He gave his opponent too much space and was at fault for the first goal. However he did provide Ben Khalfallah a clever ball in the lead-up to Victory’s third and his overall performance in the second half was much improved.
CM: Mark Milligan – 7
The Victory skipper put in a commanding shift in the centre of middle with his partnership with Valeri managing to neutralise the threat of Isaias and Carrusca. His powerful presence helped the home side maintain possession early on in what proved to be a frantic start to the game and he later was responsible for breaking up several of Adelaide’s attacks.
CM: Carl Valeri – 6.5
Although sloppy at times, the former Inter Milan junior combined well with Milligan in maintaining possession and breaking up opposition attacks. His tireless work and running goes unnoticed at times with his midfield partnership with the Victory skipper developing well as the weeks go by.
AM: Gui Finkler (1 assist) – 6.5
The Brazilian was right at the heart of everything positive from Victory early on, chasing down and pressuring the Adelaide defence and midfield which resulted in several turnovers. He supplied the cross for the first goal which was inadvertently turned into the back off the net by Nigel Boogaard. Much quieter second half and picked up a knock which saw him replaced in the 75 minute.
RM: Kosta Barbarouses – 6.5
The Kiwi got himself into some nice positions, opening up space without ever really producing the destructive end product. His dual with Tarek Elrich was intensifying with both men chasing each down and up the pitch. His goalscoring qualities however need working on as he missed a golden chance to wrap the game up with his tame effort going directly into the hands of Galekovic.
LM: Fahid Ben Khalfallah (1 assist) – 7
The Tunisian was one of Victory’s best in attacks, giving Marrone plenty of trouble in the opening exchanges of the first half. He provided the pin-point cross for Broxham’s goal with his overall attacking contribution to the side proving telling at the end of the match. However his major weakness is finishing with the ex-Bordeaux man needing to improve on his cutting edge in front of goal.
ST: Besart Berisha – 6
A quiet game for the Albanian compared to his usual standards in which he struggled to make any clear scoring opportunities for himself as he was well marshalled by Boogaard. However he did chase back to retrieve the ball in either midfield and on occasion in defence with his hard-working nature on show despite the absence of a goal or two in his performance.
SUB: Nick Ansell (on 70′) – 6
The youngster made his return from injury by slotting in for Galloway at right-back. Despite it not being his preferred position, the defender did well in the 25 minutes he was on, making several vital interceptions to halt the visitor’s attack.
SUB: Archie Thompson (on 75′) – N/A
SUB: Rashid Mahazi (on 85′) – N/A
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Votes:
3. Leigh Broxham – 7.5
2. Mark Milligan – 7
1. Fahid Ben Khalfallah – 7
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
39 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
30.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
24.5 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
24.5 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
22 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Dylan Murnane (Melbourne Victory)
15 – David Villa (Melbourne City)
15 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
14.5 – Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Erik Paartalu (Melbourne City)
8.5 – Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory)
8.5 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
7.5 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
7.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)