Melbourne Victory snatched a point at the death with two late goals in a 2-2 draw with Canberra United in the Liberty A-League on Tuesday afternoon.
It was the first of two A-Leagues fixtures on Tuesday, February 22 with Central Coast Mariners heading to AAMI Park to face Melbourne City in a game embroiled in controversy which ended 3-2 in favour of the hosts.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from two A-Leagues fixtures on Tuesday:
- Canberra United 2-2 Melbourne Victory
Liberty A-League, Viking Park. Kick-off: 5.25pm AEDT
MATCH REPORT: Victory rescue late point in Canberra
- Melbourne City 3-2 Central Coast Mariners
Isuzu UTE A-League, AAMI Park. Kick-off: 7.55pm AEDT
MATCH REPORT: MELBOURNE CITY 3-2 CENTRAL COAST
REACTION
‘We’re still shocked’ – City win engulfed in VAR controversy
Central Coast Mariners head coach Nick Montgomery says he’s expecting an explanation for two key decisions impacted by VAR which went the way of Melbourne City in his side’s 3-2 loss at AAMI Park on Tuesday night.
Penalised in the first half for a Kye Rowles challenge on Marco Tilio which began outside the box, the Mariners lost their one-goal lead just before the break via the spot and Jamie Maclaren’s lethal right foot.
Then, chasing the game at 3-2 in the 87th minute, a clash between City winger Mathew Leckie and Lewis Miller left the latter in need of a substitution – but the second VAR check of the night went in favour of City once more, with no penalty awarded to the visiting side.
Speaking to Paramount+ post-match, Montgomery expressed his disappointment in how a manic night unfolded at AAMI Park – a night which saw both him and Mariners goalkeeping coach Jess Vanstrattan booked in the aftermath of the late no-call by referee Shaun Evans.
“I’m disappointed really, more than anything,” Montgomery said. “We came here tonight (knowing) Melbourne City are the benchmark team in this competition without doubt, and I thought we matched them in every area.
“The decisions that were given against us, to be honest at half-time I was told the contact was outside the box, the referee said it was the second contact inside the box so for me that’s not a penalty. I felt the boys fought back really well.
“I’m disappointed to concede the second goal when we were on top of the same, but great character from the boys as always, they never give up and at the end there you just think you’re going to get what you deserve.
“Lewis Miller gets kicked on top of his foot, he’s got a gash on his foot, we have to take him off, I think everybody in the world watching the game can see it’s a penalty but Shaun Evans decides it’s not a penalty.
“I’ve had opposition players come up to me tonight and say they can’t believe it. When that happens… it doesn’t make you feel any better.
“I’m just gutted for the boys. I’m devastated for the boys because it seems like week in, week out we are copping a little bit of bad luck at the minute but tonight, I think we need an explanation on the decisions.
“In general I just think it’s disappointing that you can lose a game to a decision like that when a point would’ve been fair for everybody.”
The Mariners had taken a one-goal lead through Béni N’Kololo’s maiden Isuzu UTE A-League strike in the first half, only for Maclaren to equalise before the break, and Florin Berenguer to put City ahead in the second half.
Oliver Bozanic answered back for the visitors, before Marco Tilio quickly got the hosts back on top in a game which looked like it was escaping from the VAR drama which ended the first half in controversy.
But more drama was to return at the death, in a moment which sparked bemusement in the Paramount+ studio post-match.
“We’re still shocked,” said retired A-Leagues defender Daniel Georgievski.
“I don’t even know what he has seen. I actually don’t even want to hear what his excuse is, because that right there is the clearest penalty I’ve ever seen.
“The fact it’s taken four or five minutes, we played over 100 minutes, I don’t know what the hell is going on.
“To make that decision, and it’s taken so long – I’m disgusted to be honest, and it’s ruining the game.”
Joining Georgievski in the Paramount+ studio was Daniel McBreen, who added: “We go to four or five minutes of looking at the same footage over, and over, and over – why? I don’t see what the dilemma is.
“It’s slowing the progress of the game, it’s slowing the momentum of the game… that’s what it’s coming down to, the fans, the players, the coaching staff, everyone just wants quick decisions – and we want them to be right.”
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: MELBOURNE CITY v CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
FULL-TIME: CITY 3-2 MARINERS
“It was a game that almost had more drama than goals.”
That was the word by Paramount+ commentator Ben Homer after 13 minutes of second-half stoppage time finish with City clinging on to a 3-2 win at AAMI Park.
NO PENALTY! More VAR drama at AAMI Park (9.53pm AEDT)
A late penalty cry for the Mariners saw the second extensive VAR check of the night – this time to adjudge whether the visitors would have the chance to draw level from the spot.
Lewis Miller went down in the box after Mathew Leckie appeared to leave a late foot in on the Mariners full-back. Evans returned to the pitch-side monitor and again the check was a lengthy one – but this time, no penalty was awarded.
Nick Montgomery received a yellow card from Evans in the aftermath, and Mariners goalkeeping coach Jess Vanstrattan received a red card as chaos unfolded at AAMI Park.
GOAL! Tilio fires City back in front (9.35pm AEDT)
It’s all happening at AAMI Park!
Marco Tilio’s red-hot form continues tonight, with the young Socceroo ghosting into the box to brush home a first-time shot off his left after some neat build-up play off City’s left flank.
GOAL! Captain Bozanic restores parity (9.26pm AEDT)
Backs to the wall, the Mariners are back in this one at AAMI Park – and it’s captain Ollie Bozanic getting the visitors back on level terms.
There were offside fears as Bozanic arrived at the back post to strike a close-range shot into the roof of the net but no such call was to follow as play resumed at 2-2.
Penalty call a moment of contention in the first half (9.20pm AEDT)
Here’s what unfolded in first-half stoppage time as Rowles’ challenge on Tilio ultimately saw Maclaren equalise from the spot after a lengthy VAR inquiry:
GOAL! Berenguer and O’Neill combine to put City ahead (9.17pm AEDT)
Florin Berenguer is having a season to remember in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
The final touch in and around the box was missing for the home side in the first half but the Frenchman found his groove early in the second, finding space in the box after a one-two with O’Neill to finish past Birighitti and put City 2-1 ahead.
GOAL! Maclaren gets City level in contentious circumstances (8.49pm AEDT)
A late challenge from Kye Rowles on Marco Tilio led referee Shaun Evans to award the hosts a spot kick – but a VAR check ensued, with the initial challenge appearing to take place outside the penalty area.
As Evans assessed the pitch-side monitor, a vocal Patrick Kisnorbo continuously voiced his opinion on the matter from his technical area. Eventually Evans returned to the pitch to uphold his original decision, pointing to the spot for Maclaren to step up and bury the equaliser.
GOAL! N’Kololo’s debut ALM strike puts Mariners ahead (8.42pm AEDT)
The Mariners bench erupts as Béni N’Kololo drives across the box to bury his debut Isuzu UTE A-League goal past Tom Glover into the back of the net.
It’s a shock lead for the visitors who have had no attacking impetus this half – but a wasteful City failed where the Mariners succeeded as the away side took a 1-0 lead.
Birighitti called into action as Nabbout goes close (8.38pm AEDT)
A long-range strike from Andrew Nabbout looked destined for the bottom-left corner of goal before Mariners keeper Mark Birighitti got down to palm it away with a strong right glove.
The Socceroos forward is trudging toward the half-time break with an apparent injury to his right leg, with both sides locked at 0-0.
Rowles and Farrell smother Maclaren as City press for an opener (8.21pm AEDT)
A well-timed tackle in the box from Jacob Farrell on Jamie Maclaren allowed Kye Rowles to swoop in and clear the danger, denying the City striker a clear opportunity on goal from close range.
City have created all the attack thus far but the Mariners have held firm through 25 minutes.
KICK-OFF: Mariners hunt for first ALM win in 2022 (7.57pm AEDT)
Jamie Maclaren has an early chance on goal as City hunt for an early lead at AAMI Park against the Mariners.
The visitors are without a league win in the new year – but securing three points will be a tough ask for the Mariners against an in-form City side.
PRE-MATCH
Can the Mariners buck the trend of conceding late goals, and notch a positive result against the reigning champions at AAMI Park?
Three games in a row Central Coast have buckled at the death, conceding in the 90th minute and beyond on each occasion. The results have seen Nick Montgomery’s side take just two points from a potential seven.
City, meanwhile are hitting their stride. Marco Tilio was sensational in a 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets last time out and will look to continue his good run of form in Patrick Kisnorbo’s midfield three, in the absence of Connor Metcalfe who misses out after the accumulation of five yellow cards.
TEAM NEWS
LIBERTY A-LEAGUE: CANBERRA UNITED v MELBOURNE VICTORY
FULL-TIME: CANBERRA 2-2 VICTORY
Victory looked set for a shock defeat on the road before late goals from Chidiac and Eliadis dragged Jeff Hopkins side back into it to snatch a point at the death.
The result hands fourth-placed Victory a two-point lead over Perth Glory in fifth with two games to play.
Watch the highlights below.
GOAL! Eliadis with the stoppage time leveller (7.16pm AEDT)
A towering header at the back post from Tiffany Eliadis has seen Victory come from two goals down to draw level with Canberra at Viking Park.
Victory were 2-0 down with 10 minutes to play but have turned it all around with two late goals.
GOAL! Chidiac the difference-maker as the deficit halves (7.06pm AEDT)
A Courtney Nevin cross from the left flank has found the head of Victory substitute Alex Chidiac, meeting the Matildas midfielder’s head as she broke into the box to head home her first goal of the season and give her side hope.
It’s 2-1 with less than 10 minutes to play as Canberra cling to their slender advantage.
PENALTY SAVED! Lincoln wraps up Markovski’s spot kick (6.33pm AEDT)
“Chloe Lincoln has arrived!”
Those were the words of Paramount+ co-commentator Grace Gill as teenage keeper Lincoln denied Markovski from the spot.
Lincoln managed to hold onto the stop low to her right and avoid Markovski running in to score from the rebound, keeping Canberra’s 2-0 lead intact.
SECOND HALF: CANBERRA 2-0 VICTORY (5.30PM AEDT)
Maja Markovski comes on for Victory in an attacking move which sees Emma Robers replaced at the break.
Victory need an almighty lift in the second half to avoid defeat at Viking Park.
GOAL! Victory picked apart as Canberra make it two (6.15pm AEDT)
What a goal from the home side.
A masterful passing manoeuvre around the box began and ended with Heyman, with Washington and Sykes both adding neat touches to the move to set up their captain to finish from close range.
GOAL! Washington puts Canberra ahead (6.07pm AEDT)
That wasn’t on the pre-game script – Canberra have taken a 1-0 lead over top-four aspirants Victory through Chelsee Washington.
Victory came into this contest as favourites as Jeff Hopkins’ side look to consolidate their spot in the top four, but Canberra have been the better side in the first half – and a one-goal lead gives the hosts reward for effort.
SAVE: Lincoln gets down to deny Zimmerman (5.40pm AEDT)
Chloe Lincoln to the rescue for Canberra!
The 17-year-old keeper got down to her left to palm a strong Catherine Zimmerman strike away from the bottom-right corner of goal.
KICK-OFF: Underway at Viking Park (5.30pm AEDT)
Michelle Heyman and Ash Sykes have looked dangerous in the opening five minutes at Viking Park.
A low shot from Heyman in the fifth minute of play from a narrow angle called Casey Dumont into an early save as the hosts get on top early.
PRE-MATCH
Melbourne Victory must target maximum points against Canberra on the road to keep fifth-placed Perth Glory at bay.
Perth stunned Victory last time out to draw within one point of the top four; anything less than three points earned at Viking Park tonight will open the door for Alex Epakis’ side to storm into the top four at Victory’s expense.
