By CHRIS HEARN (@_ChrisHearn)

Melbourne Victory’s impressive form has continued, defeating Whittlesea Ranges 4-0 at Epping Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The occasion was marked by the inaugural La Ionica Community Cup which Victory were awarded post-match, with first-team coach Kevin Muscat, CEO Ian Robson and Chairman, Anthony Di Pietro in attendance.

A brace to Joey Katebian and singles from John Maclean and Pierce Waring saw off Whittlesea after a highly competitive first period. 

In the early stages of the contest Darren Davies’ side pressed high, setting the tone for the performance to come.

Maclean nearly converted George Howard’s low cross, only to be denied at the last by Whittlesea goalkeeper, Gian Tapia.

Both sides looked to attack quickly which aided Whittlesea’s cause, moving from 4-5-1 to 4-3-3 when in attacking transition, as wingers Daniel Peluso and Matthew Iuliano looked to deny the NPL1 East leaders room to get their passing game flowing.

Vinko Buljubasic’s side increased their work rate considerably, resulting in a number of dangerous attacks. Central defender, Tobias Haegele’s header flew inches wide of Spinella’s goal following Iuliano’s deep corner.

Matthew Cundari’s low cross was cut out by Lucas Spinella, with Whittlesea striker Atilla Ofli primed to pounce.

Victory were determined to bounce back, and Kieran Dover’s 25-yard curler was denied as Tapia saved athletically to his left. Stefan Nigro and Anthony Duzel’s performance improved, as Victory assumed control of midfield heading into the break.

The resurgence continued after half time, and Victory’s good work was rewarded with two goals within 10 minutes.

Joey Katebian found space on the left wing, and his inch-perfect cross was headed in by John Maclean. Katebian’s ingenuity was rewarded on 54 minutes as he was played through on goal to round Tapia and shoot into an unguarded net. 

Buljubasic was forced to make changes, and did so on 61 minutes with a double sub - Peluso and Cundari for fellow speedsters, Sami Nour and Giosue Tolomeo.

The change did little to contain Victory’s attack, which was in full flow by this stage, and Katebian made sure of the win with 20 minutes remaining, heading into the top corner from six yards after a free kick on the left.

Victory cruised in the final period, and substitute Pierce Waring added to the rout on 86 minutes, rounding Tapia to slot home in a situation not too dissimilar to Katebian’s first.

Whittlesea will look to bounce back away to Bendigo City next week, while Victory travel to Albury-Wodonga to face Murray United.

MATCH DETAILS

Melbourne Victory 4 (Maclean 48’, Katebian 52’ 70’, Waring 86’) defeated Whittlesea Ranges 0 at Epping Stadium (HT: 0-0)

Melbourne Victory: 1. Lucas SPINELLA, 19. Nicholas GLAVAN, 3. Milos RIDESIC, 5. Damien MISKULIN, 2. Tom LAKIC (18. Christian CAVALLO 67’), 6. Stefan NIGRO (14. Reece CALDERCOURT 72’), 8. Anthony DUZEL, 10. Kieran DOVER, 17. George HOWARD, 9. Joey KATEBIAN (4. Pierce WARING 82’), 11. John MACLEAN

Unused substitutes: 13. Patrick AVICE, 20. Stephen HATZIKOSTAS

Yellow cards: Nicholas Glavan 59’

Red cards: Nil

 

Whittlesea Ranges: 1. Gian TAPIA, 2. Pavle DURKIC, 4. Mario PIRANIA (16. Ridvan SAGLAM 75’), 6. Andrew TAYLOR, 7. Matthew CUNDARI (11. Sami NOUR 61’), 10. Matthew IULIANO, 17. Stefan BARICEVIC, 19. Adem MUSTADANAGIC, 20. Tobias HAEGELE, 9. Daniel PELUSO (23. Giosue TOLOMEO 61’), 15. Atilla OFLI

Unused substitutes: 5. Daniel SOTIROPOULOS, 27. Jarrod HILL (GK)

Yellow cards: Andrew Taylor 54’, Adem Mustadanagic 65’, Tobias Haegele 90+2'

Red cards: Nil