Striker Max Caputo proved to be the difference between the two sides as Melbourne City defeated Brisbane Roar 1-0 in a fiery clash at AAMI Park.
City came into the contest having won just once in their last seven Isuzu UTE A-League matches but they got off to a flying start at AAMI Park.
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Peeling off towards the far post, striker Max Caputo had the simplest of headers to break his seven game A-Leagues goal drought as he nodded home Emin Durakovic’s corner after keeper Dean Bouzanis attempted to claim the cross but got lost in a sea of bodies.
The home side thought they’d doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when midfielder Andreas Kuen drilled a low effort into the back of the net, however the goal was chalked off for an apparent foul by Nathaniel Atkinson on Georgios Vrakas in the build-up, despite replays suggesting the City man actually kicked the ball and not his opponent.
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After struggling to make an impact in the first half the Roar came out firing after the break; Vrakas rattling the base of the post with a powerful low effort as Brisbane looked to punish the hosts on the counter.
The away side continued to push for an equaliser but it was City who almost grabbed the game’s second goal; Caputo thwarted by Bouzanis when put through one on one with the keeper in the 66th minute.
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With another Isuzu UTE A-League clash to come against Auckland FC on Friday night, Brisbane boss Michael Valkanis freshened things up with 15 minutes to go, handing professional debuts to both Emmett Shaw and Mikael Evagorou-Alao in a bid to spark his side into life.
However it was City who went closer still to finding the second goal as winger Andrew Nabbout cut inside onto his right foot and bent a curling effort towards goal which kissed the top of the crossbar.
Tensions then boiled over in stoppage time as both sets of players were involved in a bit of push and shove after City prevented their opponents from taking a quick freekick on halfway.
The officials ordered a minimum of nine minutes stoppage time to be played due to an earlier injury for Bouzanis but the away side were unable to truly test Patrick Beach in the City goal.
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The away side had claims for a penalty in the 96th minute turned down, with a subsequent VAR check confirming there was no handball by City defender German Ferreyra inside the box.
City then had a glorious chance to wrap it up deep into stoppage time but substitute Lawrence Wong couldn’t supply to finish.
Despite that missed effort, Aurelio Vidmar’s side saw out the game to end a four match winless run and move up into fifth on the ladder.
Meanwhile defeat for the Roar sees them suffer consecutive losses in the league whilst their winless streak against City at AAMI Park now stretches back 16 years.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT THEY SAID
Victorious Melbourne City head coach Aurelio Vidmar spoke to Paramount+ after the game.
Hear from Brisbane Roar boss Michael Valkanis after his side suffered back-to-back losses in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
