Melbourne Victory’s hopes of a late run to the A-League Men premiership remain alive after beating Wellington 3-1 in a game completely overshadowed by two farcical VAR delays.
Victory leaped into second place, a point above Western United and one behind leaders Melbourne City, who each have a game in hand, by claiming three points in teeming rain at AAMI Park.
Rojas: ‘Electric’ home atmosphere Victory’s finals weapon
But close to 12 minutes’ worth of VAR-related delays on decisions for two goals, including Victory having a would-be winner chalked off, only for it to be replaced with a penalty, dominated the game.
But close to 12 minutes’ worth of VAR-related delays on decisions for two goals, including Victory having a would-be winner chalked off, only for it to be replaced with a penalty, dominated the game.
Victory snatched the lead in the second minute when Jake Brimmer found Marco Rojas, who burst down the right and squared it for Nick D’Agostino to score.
Despite Victory dominating, Wellington had a chance to equalise from the penalty spot in the 20th minute when Reno Piscopo’s shot hit the arm of Victory skipper Josh Brillante.
Referee Shaun Evans initially awarded a free kick but after a VAR review showed Brillante’s arm was inside the area, quickly changed his decision and gave a penalty.
But Piscopo’s penalty was poor and Ivan Kelava made a commanding save.
In the aftermath, Sam Sutton put a cross into the area and Leigh Broxham made a clearing header but caught Piscopo in the face with his elbow as he jumped.
After a five-minute delay, between Piscopo receiving treatment and consulting the VAR, Evans again pointed to the spot, to Victory’s dismay.
This time, Sandoval comfortably buried the equaliser.
Victory appeared to have taken the lead in the 61st minute when Oli Sail parried Brimmer’s long-range effort into the path of D’Agostino to coolly tap home.
Instead, it led to a seven-minute VAR review.
Evans assessed whether Rai Marchan had fouled Ben Old in the lead-up, which would have chalked off the goal.
But as the delay continued, the VAR footage showed Evans had earlier missed Louis Fenton’s handball in the area from Jason Davidson’s cross.
As a result, the ball was brought back to the penalty spot, with Brimmer coolly converting.
After all the earlier drama, Victory wrapped up three points in the 78th minute when Davidson lifted a lovely ball to the back post where an unmarked Rojas headed home.
Victory have an away clash with Sydney FC left while fifth-placed Wellington can still seal a finals berth by beating Western Sydney or City.
RE-LIVE: MELBOURNE VICTORY 3-1 WELLINGTON PHOENIX, AS IT HAPPENED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
79′: GOAL! Rojas puts Victory in command (3-1)
“That is simply scintillating football from Melbourne Victory,” said Paramount+ co-commentator Daniel McBreen as Jason Davidson put the ball on a plate for Rojas to supply the finish to a brilliant Victory move.
66′: GOAL! Chaos unfolds at AAMI Park (2-1)
Jake Brimmer puts Victory back in front from the spot after an lengthy delay, with a D’Agostino goal wiped off the scoresheet and two incidents reviewed by VAR in a truly chaotic five-minute spell at AAMI Park.
D’Agostino put the ball in the back of the net in the 62nd minute. Referee Evans was then called over to the pitch-side monitor to assess two incidents:
- A potential foul from Rai Marchan on Ben Old in the build up
- A potential handball in the box from Wellington defender Louis Fenton
Marchan’s challenge on Old was likely to be called a foul from Evans on review, but the Fenton handball happened earlier in the build-up to D’Agostino’s goal, meaning the initial goal was ruled out, and a penalty was given to the hosts.
Brimmer put the ball on the spot for the hosts, sending Sail the wrong way and finding the back of the net as Victory took the lead at long last.
46′: SECOND HALF (1-1)
It’s set up for a brilliant finish at AAMI Park with Victory and Phoenix locked level as they emerge from the sheds.
HALF-TIME: VICTORY 1-1 PHOENIX
An action-packed first half comes to an end, with both sides level at 1-1. D’Agostino opened the scoring early doors and dominated proceedings until a pair of penalties presented to the ‘Nix in quick time.
The first was wasted by Piscopo but Sandoval made no mistake with the second to draw the visitors level.
25′: PENALTY… AGAIN! Sandoval scores the equaliser (1-1)
Two penalties in the space of minutes for Wellington, with Piscopo involved in the thick of the action. It was Leigh Broxham giving away the second spot kick, leaving a raised elbow on Piscopo as he looked to clear the ball from danger.
Referee Shaun Evans ventured to the pitch-side monitor to review the incident, returning to the pitch to point to the spot once again. This time it was Gael Sandoval stepping forward to take, who found the bottom-left corner to draw the ‘Nix level.
20′: PENALTY SAVED! Piscopo denied (1-0)
A Josh Brillante handball just inside the penalty area gave Wellington an opportunity from the spot, which Reno Piscopo stepped forward to take. Victory keeper Ivan Kelava gestured to his right as Piscopo shot on goal – and that’s exactly where the ball travelled.
Kelava pulled off a strong save to deny the ‘Nix an equaliser.
14′: Brimmer free-kick stings the palms of Sail (1-0)
A handball off Jake Brimmer’s strike on goal by Scott Wootton gave the home side the dead ball just outside the penalty area.
Brimmer stepped forward to take the resulting free-kick, and struck it on target; Wellington keeper Oli Sail went to his right, but as the ball sailed centrally he got two strong palms on it and repelled the danger.
3′: GOAL! D’Agostino gets Victory off to a flyer (1-0)
Nick D’Agostino scores goal number nine for the campaign, getting on the end of a neat through pass from Marco Rojas into the box to find the bottom-left corner.
In the lead-up to this fixture, the Victory striker made his intentions clear: continue his scoring form to cement his place in the Socceroos squad. He’s put his words into action early at AAMI Park tonight.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We’re underway at a rain-soaked AAMI Park! Torrential conditions could play a significant role in the outcome of this fixture between two sides hoping to end the season in the top four.
TEAM NEWS
PRE-MATCH
Wellington Phoenix are back in Australia to face Melbourne Victory on Friday night, after a two-game homecoming which produced one loss and one win, keeping Ufuk Talay’s side entrenched in the top six.
Victory’s weekend slip-up against Brisbane Roar means Tony Popovic’s side no longer have the chance to jump Western United and Melbourne City into top spot in the A-League Men’s standings with a win over the ‘Nix at AAMI Park.
But, the 0-0 Roar draw did extend Victory’s club-record unbeaten streak to 13, a positive to take for the third-placed side still in the hunt for the Premiership by the end of the regular season.
This is the second league meeting between these two sides in 2021-22, with the ‘Nix edging the first encounter 1-0 thanks to Reno Piscopo’s solitary strike.
KEY STAT
The ‘Nix have won their last two games against Victory and will be looking to log a third straight win in this fixture for the very first time.
