MELBOURNE VICTORY CHAMPIONS 2008/09
Group: Members
Posts: 916
Member No.: 86
Joined: 12-April 08
|
| QUOTE | Late strike sinks VictorySunday,
20 July 2008 A late strike from Brazilian import Cristiano saw Adelaide United record a 2-1 win against Melbourne Victory in Round 1 of the 2008 Pre-Season Cup at Aurora Stadium, Launceston this afternoon.
Ney Fabiano scored early for Victory, before Cristiano equalised in the first half and then secured three points for Adelaide in the dying stages.
4720 fans braved the chilly conditions to witness a lively and entertaining contest, which saw Ney Fabiano put Victory in front with a forceful header from close range on eight minutes.
Nick Ward crossed the ball to Ney Fabiano, who manoeuvred himself around Robert Cornthwaite and guided the ball past former Victory goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.
Victory could have extended its lead on numerous occasions, with Evan Berger coming closest when he almost connected with a Danny Allsopp pass before colliding with Galekovic.
Adelaide worked its way back into the contest and equalised on 32 minutes when Scott Jamieson crossed into the penalty area, ensuring a goalmouth scramble that resulted in Cristiano scoring from point-blank range.
Victory looked to regain the lead throughout the second half with Allsopp and Ney Fabiano continuing to challenge Galekovic, while at the other end Mitchell Langerak, who replaced Michael Theoklitos following the break, had few saves to make.
Ney Fabiano almost sealed a late win for Victory when he headed into the crossbar, before a long ball to the penalty area found Cristiano, who struck cleanly past Langerak.
“I was very disappointed with the result, bitterly disappointed,” Victory Coach Ernie Merrick said.
“I know we had eight players out, but we expected to win that game and to be honest, I thought the boys did well enough to win it.
“We had three outstanding starting debuts and we’ve got three very good players in young Evan Berger, Ney Fabiano and Michael Thwaite, who was rock solid.
“We kept conceding corner kicks and it was about the sixth one that just fell to one of their players and it was a toe  in.
“In the second half, Mitch punched the ball twice from a cross and corner kick and there was  until the last minute.
“Ney Fabiano’s terrific header from a free kick hits and crossbar and they go down the other end and score, so that was pretty hard for the boys to take, they’re gutted.”
Victory, which is likely to include Costa Rican international Jose Luis Lopez, will now focus on its next Pre-Season Cup fixture against Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday, 26 July.
Victory memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season are currently available from the Victory Shop, 236 Swan Street, Richmond, by calling 1300 GO MVFC or online by clicking here.
Melbourne Victory 1 (Ney Fabiano 8’)
Adelaide United 2 (Cristiano 32’, 90’)
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Aurora Stadium, Launceston, Tasmania
Referee: Ben Williams
Crowd: 4720
Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk) (20.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk) 46’), 3.Michael THWAITE, 4.Steven PACE (6.Steve PANTELIDIS 87’), 5.Sebastian RYALL, 7.Matthew KEMP, 9.Danny ALLSOPP, 11.NEY FABIANO, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS (Captain), 15.Tom PONDELJAK (13.Nathan ELASI 72’), 19.Evan BERGER, 22.Nick WARD
Substitutes not used: 24.Semir SIVIC
Yellow cards: Danny Allsopp 42’, Ney Fabiano 49’
Adelaide United: 2.Robert CORNTHWAITE, 3.ALEMAO, 4.Angelo COSTANZO, 6.CASSIO, 9.Paul AGOSTINO (5.Michael VALKANIS 78’), 10.CRISTIANO, 13.Travis DODD (Captain), 14.Scott JAMIESON (18.Fabian BARBIERO 69’), 15.Jonas SALLEY (21.Jason SPAGNUOLO 69’), 20.Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), 22.DIEGO
Substitutes not used: 30.Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk)
Yellow cards: Angelo Costanzo 46’, Alemao 52’, Travis Dodd 84’ |
1-2 ohh well.  GOOD SIGNS BY NEY FABIANO. 
--------------------
 NORTH MELBOURNE FC, MELBOURNE VICTORY FC, LIVERPOOL FC FOR LIFE  SOUTH END FTW
|
VICTORY.
Help
Search
Members
Calendar
