It was a memorable collapse for Melbourne Victory as they squandered a two goal lead late to eventually draw 3-3 with Perth Glory at nib Stadium. The forward third however were in fine form, but who earned man of the match honours? Find out in our match ratings below
MATCH REPORT > Perth draw late as Victory disintegrate
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GK: Nathan Coe – 4
This game summed up his Melbourne Victory career to date, matching strong saves with horror moments in equal measure. Gave away a penalty and was once again exposed aerially as he failed to claim the cross that saw Rostyn Griffiths bundle home. His distribution by foot was poor, giving possession away too much under little pressure.
LB: Daniel Georgievski – 4
Struggled on his first start since returning from injury, leaving the Victory defence horribly exposed for the first and last goal. The Perth Glory’s right wing was their most fruitful avenue on goal.
CB: Adrian Leijer – 5.5
Had a rough time dealing with the physical contest against Andy Keogh, but mustered up a decent game despite conceding three.
CB: Nick Ansell – 5.5
Was caught out of position a number of times, but most of his mistakes luckily didn’t end in a goal. Seemed composed, right up until the final 15 minutes or so.
RB: Jason Geria – 6
Kept Perth’s left flank quiet all afternoon really, but once again, failed to add anything in an attacking sense, often telegraphing passes to the opposition. One cross in particular summed up his afternoon as he sent the ball flying into row Z.
CM: Carl Valeri – 7.5
Kept Nebojsa Marinkovic accounted for in midfield, while supplying some great delivery from a deeper position. Was involved in Victory’s third goal, where his perfectly weighted lobbed through ball found a rampant Barbarouses.
CM: Leigh Broxham – 7
Was strong in his return to a midfield position, suppling plenty of energy to the centre of the pitch. Ran hard box-to-box with his trademark work rate.
AM: Gui Finkler (1 assist) – 7
The trio of centre midfielders all played a decent game against the Glory, and Finkler was no different. Cut the ball back for Khalfallah’s opener and was incisive and tidy with his passing all contest.
✮ LW: Fahid Ben Khalfallah (1 goal, 1 assist) – 8 ✮
Will come close to the leagues import of the season if he continues on with his stellar form. Opened the scoring with a delightful curled effort from 20 yards before slipping through Besart Berisha for the second on the stroke of half time.
ST: Besart Berisha (1 goal) – 7
Scored a wonderful goal to gain the lead back for the Victory, and so easily could have had another, were it not for some good goalkeeping from Danny Vukovic. Was a thorn in the side all contest.
RW: Kosta Barbarouses (1 goal) – 7
A strong return to form from the Kiwi, as the break must have done wonders for the struggling forward. Hit a trough in form before the Asian Cup commenced but made up for it with his first goal of the season – albeit a scrappy tap in – and some strong link up play and delivery on the right.
SUB: Connon Pain (on 79’) – N/A
SUB: Jesse Makarounas (on 86’) – N/A
***
Votes:
3. Fahid Ben Khalfallah
2. Carl Valeri
1. Kosta Barbarouses
TCF Melbourne Medal Running Tally:
77 – Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City)
60.5 – Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory)
45.5 – Damien Duff (Melbourne City)
39 – Besart Berisha (Melbourne Victory)
38 – Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory)
37.5 – Kosta Barbarouses (Melbourne Victory)
22.5 – Nathan Coe (Melbourne Victory)
22.5 – Carl Valeri (Melbourne Victory)
22 – Connor Chapman (Melbourne City)
21 – Jacob Melling (Melbourne City)
20 – David Williams (Melbourne City)
18 – Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory)
16 – Robert Koren (Melbourne City)
16 – Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Daniel Georgievski (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Adrian Leijer (Melbourne Victory)
15.5 – Dylan Murnane (Melbourne Victory)
15 – David Villa (Melbourne City)
14.5 – Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne City)
14.5 – Paddy Kisnorbo (Melbourne City)
13.5 – Erik Paartalu (Melbourne City)
8.5 – Gui Finkler (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Matthieu Delpierre (Melbourne Victory)
8 – Andrew Redmayne (Melbourne City)
7 – Nick Ansell (Melbourne Victory)