Juan Mata’s first-half free kick was a giddy high but Sydney FC rallied for a comeback 2-2 draw.
Mata’s goal was followed by a super-sub effort from Victory striker Charles Nduka only for Sydney FC to hit back with two goals in two minutes.
The first hour belonged to Mata. The Spanish World Cup winner curved a left-footed free kick in off the inside of the right-hand post in the 34th minute with arguably his most iconic moment in the Isuzu Ute A-League.
But after Charles Nduka’s 69th-minute strike, immediately after entering the game off the bech, Sydney FC rallied with a quickfire comeback.
Transfer window additions Apostolos Stametelopoulos and Ahmet Arslan scored their respective first Sky Blue goals in the 73rd and 75th minutes to reinvigorate the Allianz Stadium crowd.
Stamatelopoulos shot straight at Victory goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky in the 88th minute after spinning in the penalty area, with the ensuing goal-mouth scrap cleared away.
It would prove to be the best chance for either side to leave a winner, with nine minutes of additional time not able to produce a clear-cut scoring chance.
Sydney FC remain third on the Isuzu Ute A-League table with 33 points from 20 games, two ahead of Adelaide United (31) and fifth-placed Victory on 29.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Melbourne Victory’s Juan Mata speaks after the game.
Sydney goalscorer Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles.
Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay.
