It was late heartbreak for Melbourne Victory against Vissel Kobe in the AFC Asian Champions League Preliminary Round, who took the Andrés Iniesta-led J1-League outfit to additional extra time in a 4-3 loss.
But the brave, never-say-die performance will be well received by the coaching staff and fans of the A-Leagues side who threw everything at Iniesta and co. on Tuesday night.
Following Victory’s clash with Vissel Kobe was an Isuzu UTE A-League bout between Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners which ended 0-0 thanks to Mark Birighitti’s first-half penalty save to deny Bruno Fornaroli a goal and Perth three points.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, up to date scores, highlights and biggest talking points from two fixtures on Tuesday night.
- Vissel Kobe 4-3 Melbourne Victory
Misaki Park Stadium, AFC Champions League Preliminary Round
MATCH REPORT: GALLANT VICTORY BEATEN BY VISSEL KOBE IN ACL
- Perth Glory 0-0 Central Coast Mariners
Isuzu UTE A-League, HBF Park. Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
MATCH REPORT: FRUSTRATED GLORY IN 0-0 DRAW WITH MARINERS
REACTION
D’Agostino’s statement night: “A Socceroos call-up can only be an email away”
It was a heartbreaker in Kobe for Melbourne Victory, ending the night on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller.
Four goals conceded will be of concern to Victory boss Tony Popovic – with the class of Iniesta and clinical finishing of Yuya Osako putting consistent strain on Victory’s defensive line.
But Popovic will be delighted with the output of his forwards – in particular D’Agostino, who had a night to remember with two well-taken goals and a key role in the third.
He relished the battle against the Japanese club side on Tuesday night – will D’Agostino soon be presented the opportunity to do the same against the Japanese national team on the world stage?
Australia take on Japan in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying fixture in Sydney on Thursday, March 24, and with squad announcement nearing D’Agostino’s red-hot form at club level both at home and abroad may just put him in the selection frame.
After securing his brace in Kobe on Tuesday, Network 10 co-commentator Andy Harper wondered whether news of his selection may land in his inbox by the time he returned to the change room.
“A Socceroos call-up can only be an email away!” Harper exclaimed as he witnessed D’Agostino’s standout attacking display.
Birighitti goes eye to eye with Bruno – and triumphs: ‘It brings back memories’
It was a frustrating night in Perth for the Glory, with one key moment standing above all else in a catalogue of missed opportunities: Mark Birighitti’s clutch penalty save to deny Bruno Fornaroli a first-half goal.
The Fornaroli spot kick came as the home side were flying. A magnificent start to the first half saw Perth produce everything but a goal for effort.
Going eye to eye with the Perth Glory spearhead was Mariners gloveman Mark Birighitti, who leaned on past experience to make a strong save down to his right.
“It brings back memories of Melbourne City days at the training ground,” Birighitti told Paramount+ post-match, reminiscing on his playing days with Fornaroli at the Victorian outfit.
“He’s a great player, it’s a toss of the coin and I was lucky enough I went the right way and got a hand on it.
“Look, it’s 50/50. I guessed the right way and earned our team a point.”
It was a wasteful night at HBF Park for the home side, who struck 21 shots on goal with just five finding the target.
Paramount+ co-commentator Phil Moss says Perth only have themselves to blame for extending their current winless run to six games – the last three of which have come at home.
“Really it comes down to lack of cutting edge by Perth Glory, particularly in that first half when they got into some good areas,” Moss said post-match.
“The Mariners fought hard for the entire 90 minutes to get a point in the end.
“There will be huge frustration inside that Perth dressing room, not having pocketed the three points tonight. Look at the shots, the combined total of (21) shots… there’s got to be goals in that, there has to be.
“How that’s ended 0-0 I’ve got no idea.”
AS IT HAPPENED: VISSEL KOBE v MELBOURNE VICTORY
FULL-TIME (EXTRA TIME): VISSEL KOBE 4-3 MELBOURNE VICTORY
It’s heartbreak for Melbourne Victory.
Lincoln’s goal in the first half of additional extra time was the difference in the end, in a seven-goal thriller.
Watch the highlights below.
95′: GOAL! Lincoln puts Kobe back in front (4-3)
The action is simply relentless at Misaki Park Stadium.
Vissel Kobe have restored their lead through Lincoln, finishing Koya Yuruki’s cross after Iniesta’s divine first-time pass into the penalty area.
“One touch from Andrés Iniesta has undone Melbourne Victory’s defence,” said Harper on co-commentary.
It’s 4-3 to the hosts – but as we’ve seen so far, a deficit is not something Popovic’s side will fear.
FULL-TIME: VISSEL KOBE 3-3 MELBOURNE VICTORY
Take a breather. That was a thrilling finish to a colossal game.
Three goals in the last ten minutes of play saw Kobe come from behind, snatch the lead then rescind it once more as additional extra time beckons.
90′ – GOAL! Folami off the bench to stun the hosts (3-3)
Victory are still alive! The visitors find a lifeline through a magic Folami strike, whipped into the top-right corner of goal after D’Agostino was denied his hat-trick from a point-blank save.
They looked dead and buried – but Victory are level at 3-3 as the clock ticks into stoppage time.
88′ – GOAL! Kobe snatch the lead (3-2)
It’s late anguish for Victory as the A-Leagues outfit sees their 2-1 lead turn into a 3-2 deficit with just minutes on the clock.
Osako struck for the second time in seven minutes to turn this Preliminary Round fixture on its head, picked out by Hotaru Yamaguchi with a pinpoint cross.
80′ – GOAL! Osako levels the score (2-2)
A magnificent save by Matt Acton denied Vissel Kobe an equaliser – but the resulting corner allowed the hosts to capitalise.
Yuya Osako was the scorer, arriving unmarked inside the six-yard box to volley home a header flicked toward goal from the corner routine which followed the Acton save.
71′ GOAL! D’Agostino again as Victory hit the lead (1-2)
“A Socceroos call-up can only be an email away!” exclaimed Network 10 co-commentator Andy Harper as D’Agostino struck Victory into a 2-1 lead.
Ben Folami created the opportunity for D’Agostino with a driving run down toward the byline, cutting the ball back for the Victory forward to tuck away with a first-time strike from close range.
Victory are less than 20 minutes away from a stunning turnaround.
46′: Second half underway
It’s 1-1 in Kobe as Victory look to cause a massive upset in the AFC Champions League Preliminary Round.
HALF-TIME: VISSEL KOBE 1-1 MELBOURNE VICTORY
The two sides exchanged early strikes with Iniesta putting the home side in front and D’Agostino equalising for the A-Leagues outfit.
32′: Kobe struggling to deal with Victory crosses
D’Agostino and Josh Brillante threatened the Kobe goal with opportunities from a pair of crosses in quick succession as the home side struggle to repel the danger brought about via aerial balls whipped into the box.
It appears Victory’s best avenue to goal at this stage in the contest.
12′: GOAL! Victory back on level terms (1-1)
What a start at Misaki Park Stadium, as Victory draw level through a close-range D’Agostino finish.
It was Victory’s first attacking venture, with an earned corner swung in by Jason Davidson. Brendan Hamill rose to meet the ball but it sailed over his head to land in D’Agostino’s lap to poke the ball home.
6′: GOAL! Iniesta gets Kobe off to perfect start (1-0)
That was a gift for the Vissel Kobe captain.
Rai Marchan, back in the Victory starting XI after missing eight games due to an injured eye socket, attempted to clear a cut-back cross to no avail, nudging the ball into Iniesta’s path to strike on the turn.
1′: KICK-OFF
It’s a sea of colour at Misaki Park Stadium, as the Vissel Kobe fans give a warm welcome to the home side. Nick D’Agostino kicks off for Victory as head coach Tony Popovic returns to the Champions League – a competition he knows all too well.
TEAM NEWS (8.40pm AEDT)
AS IT HAPPENED: PERTH GLORY v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
FULL-TIME: PERTH GLORY 0-0 CENTRAL COAST
A frustrating night at HBF Park for the home side, who dominated the chances but come away with just one point.
Birighitti was the hero for the visitors with a first-half penalty save to deny Fornaroli – an intervention which ultimately sealed the Mariners a point on the road.
62′: CHANCE! Stynes just past the post
That was the home side’s best opportunity of the second half, with Daniel Stynes coming off the bench to direct a first-time shot off his left foot just wide of the target.
HALF-TIME: PERTH 0-0 MARINERS
Perth have had all the momentum – but importantly, lack the reward for effort.
Will the hosts be made to pay in the second half?
17′: Absolute chaos in Perth as Birighitti saves Fornaroli spot kick
Two penalty calls – one denied, one given – in a matter of minutes have caused a dramatic spell of play in attack for the hosts which ultimately ended in a Mark Birighitti save from Bruno Fornaroli’s spot kick.
Perth were initially denied a penalty after an apparent Jason Cummings handball, but in the resulting play a challenge from the same Mariners player on ack Clisby left referee Alex King no choice but to point to the spot.
Fornaroli stepped forward and struck to his left. Birighitti got down to his right and put a strong glove on the ball to tip it away from danger.
Somehow it’s 0-0 at HBF Park!
15′: Colli off the crossbar as Perth press
Into the starting XI – and almost amongst the goals! Young Glory forward Giordano Colli has rattled the crossbar from a free-kick struck on a tight angle.
4′: Smith ricochet calls Jones into double save
A Béni N’Kololo strike off the right flank was initially saved by Brad Jones – but the rebound appeared to fall kindly to Noah Smith arriving at the back post.
Josh Rawlins attempted to clear, but only helped the ball onto the leg of Smith, with the deflection travelling back toward goal – fortunately for Perth it fell to Jones to collect safely.
1′: KICK-OFF
Perth Glory kick off looking to avoid a third-consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years.
