Melbourne Victory and rivals Sydney FC played out a contentious 1-1 draw in Friday night’s Big Blue in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Zinedine Machach traded goals in a thrilling start to the blockbuster clash at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Courtney-Perkins broke the deadlock with his maiden strike for Sydney in the 10th minute before French star Machach made it three goals in three matches against the Sky Blues seven minutes later.
There was a moment of controversy prior to half-time when Pat Wood was sent off for Sydney following a VAR review but despite the numerical disadvantage and waves of Victory attacks, the visitors held on for a point on the road.
Victory remain unbeaten through 14 rounds and move top of the table ahead of Wellington Phoenix’s fixture, while Sydney are seventh and two points outside of the top six.
It was an absorbing contest from the opening whistle, with Daniel Arzani and Courtney-Perkins lively for their respective sides.
Sydney were the team to draw first blood on the road courtesy of Courtney-Perkins in the 10th minute. It was a training-ground move from a corner and after the ball deflected off Machach, it fell kindly to Courtney-Perkins, who reacted quickest to score.
Courtney-Perkins found himself up front again and he forced a point-blank save from Paul Izzo seven minutes later.
But right at the other end moments later, Adama Traore’s teasing cross into the box caused all kinds of problems and it fell to Machach, with the Frenchman finding the back of the net with such poise.
Izzo was called into action again approaching the half-hour mark – a fine diving save keeping out Joe Lolley while some neat foot work sent Courtney-Perkins to the floor as Arzani tried to find the back post.
The match was turned on its head in the 36th minute when Sydney were reduced to 10 men after Wood was sent off following a VAR review – the refereeing deemed it a red-card offence after his high boot caught Traore despite the protests.
It was not only Sydney players and staff baffled by the decision, with former A-Leagues players on the Paramount+ panel also dismayed.
Daniel McBreen said: “They have got that wrong”. Victory legend Archie Thompson said, “I didn’t see anything in it”, while ex-Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite added: “I’m baffled by that decision”.
Victory continued to peg Sydney back in their own half with the numerical advantage and they were a constant threat in attack.
They almost hit the front 18 minutes from the end after Machach’s barnstorming run but neither of his teammates inside the penalty box could find the target as Courtney-Perkins made a key block.
Salim Khelifi made his debut off the bench after joining on loan from Perth Glory and the Tunisian almost found the back of the net six minutes from the end, however, he couldn’t make proper contact with the ball.
Andrew Redmayne then got down low to keep out Nishan Velupilay in the closing stages as Sydney fought hard to earn a point.
After the game, Sydney head coach Ufuk Talay joined the Paramount+ panel to reflect on the match and discuss the red card incident.
“Look I think for 35 minutes, both teams played a very good game. A great spectacle and that’s something definitely the fans want,” he said.
“In my opinion, a very poor decision killed the game and ruined the game.
“Like I said, for 35 minutes I thought it was a great spectacle where we were trying to score and attack, and Victory were the same.
“And a poor decision actually ruined the outcome of the game.”
He added: “Okay, his (Wood) foot is off the ground and so is Adama’s. At the end of the day they both have eyes for the ball and there’s contact there.
“In my opinion, I think the intent is there to win the ball and not harm the player.”
