Victory takes bragging rights over City in inaugural youth derby
Melbourne Victory has taken bragging rights in the first NPL 1 Melbourne derby with a 2-1 win over Melbourne City at CB Smith Reserve in Fawkner.
A late Wade Dekker goal was not enough to overcome Joey Katebian’s brace.
The result sees the Victory remain undefeated so far this season.
Both sides began well, utilising the flanks and picking up corners but both were unable to create any real chances.
Victory’s Lucas Derrick was particularly lively down the right hand side, making runs and getting into good positions on multiple occasions. The winger even found the back of the net in the 21st minute, but was deemed to be offside.
Although Victory was attacking more frequently, neither side could test the opposition’s goalkeeper. The teams’ radars were off with most attempts on goal falling just wide of the posts or well over the cross bar.
Victory eventually opened the scoring in the 40th minute through Joey Katebian.
A swift move down the left wing saw George Howard’s cross find Katebian; the number nine’s low shot beat City goalkeeper Yaren Sozer.
The visitors took the 1-0 lead into the half time break.
At the restart, City was able to create more chances but still failed to test Stephen Hatzikourtis.
Victory then doubled its advantage, again through Katebian, with the striker this time scoring on the volley.
City worked its way into the match but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Phil Petreski’s free kick was just wide of the post in the 62nd minute.
Four minutes later Stefan Zinni’s shot forced Hatzikourtis into a save, earning City a corner. The resulting set piece saw Wade Dekker’s header go just over the cross bar.
Victory looked to add to their lead with captain Thomas Deng bursting through the midfield from defence and shooting just wide.
George Howard and substitute John Maclean linked up well but the latter’s shot narrowly missed squeezing past the far post.
City had to wait until the fifth minute of injury time to find the back of the net, with Dekker heading home from a corner kick.
Match Details
Melbourne City 1 (Dekker 90+5’) defeated by Melbourne Victory 2 (Katebian 40’, 50’) at CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner.
Melbourne City FC: 1. Yaren SOZER (GK), 2. Tyler JAMES, 5. Leo ATHANASIOU, 6. Phil PETRESKI (12. Anthony RIZK 62’), 7. Hernan ESPINDOLA (14. Nick MORTON 81’), 8.Ratip CILELI, 9. Wade DEKKER, 13. Haralambos STAMBOULIDIS, 11. Stefan ZINNI (15. Luke GALLO 90’), 16. Matthew MILLAR, 19. Anthony TARANTO,
Unused Subs: 22. Denis GENREAU, 20. Yianni SKILIROS
Yellow Cards: Petreski 45+1’, Cileli 52’
Red Cards: Nil.
Melbourne Victory: 1. Stephen Hatzikourtis, 3. Milos Ridesic, 5. Damian Miskulin, 4. Thomas DENG, 19. Nick Glavan, 6. Stefan Nigro, 8. Anthony Duzel, 10. Kieran Dover, 13. Lucas Derrick (11. John Maclean 73’), 17. George Howard, 9. Joey Katebian (14. Patrick Avice 90+1’)
Unused Sub: 20. Wyatt Chant, 2. Tom Lakic,
Yellow Cards: Miskulin 13’, Derrick 16’ Hatzikourtis 23’, Deng 45’, Dover 61’, Howard 65’, D
Red Cards: Nil
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