Ultimately it was a disappointing performance from the Melbourne Victory, who suffered yet another loss to Newcastle away from home.
While they held the ball quite well and created openings, they weren’t able to create enough clear-cut chances, and paid the price as David Carney struck a beauty to win it. We discuss all the key talking points from the contest at Hunter Stadium.
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Victory got out-Victory’d…
…from set-pieces, as Newcastle’s change-up caught the reigning champions out. It was a fine strike by David Carney, who made the most of a Leonardo lay-off by striking true with his left boot into the top corner. There was a bit of irony in the goal though, as Victory have thrown away a number of set-piece opportunities this season trying to overplay from dead-ball situations. If there was something to take out of that game, it’s how to use a set-piece successfully.
Once a stop-gap solution…
…always a stop-gap solution, is Leigh Broxham in defence. He was exposed as the weak link of the Victory defence against Newcastle and while there’s few doubting his commitment to the cause, he shouldn’t be squeezed into an unnatural position just to accommodate him in the starting line-up. Coughed possession up to Milos Trufinovic in the first-half, who fortunately wasted his opportunity. Minutes later he was nutmegged trying to defend a cross, which saw the Serbian striker in once more. He was then easily outmuscled by – you guessed it – Trufinovic in the second half, who luckily for Broxham didn’t have his shooting boots on and couldn’t score. Thomas Deng may just find himself in the starting line-up next week against the Wellington Phoenix
You can kiss Champions League football goodbye…
…Gui Finkler, whose uninspired start to the 2015-16 A-League season continues. He looks all but certain to miss the cut once more for the Asian Champions League after yet another disappointing game this season. He had to start the season with a bang, should he have wished to jump in front of Besart Berisha, Fahid Ben Khalfallah and Matthieu Delpierre, but it hasn’t quite happened for the popular Brazilian. Had a glorious chance to open the scoring just beyond the hour mark, but stand in keeper Ben Kennedy was up to the task. Tried his best to create openings but once again it just wasn’t happening for him and is fast becoming simply a luxury player for the Victory. His absence will perhaps give Jesse Makarounas the chance to shine in an attacking role, or perhaps free up Oli Bozanic to do the just the same.
The Hunter Hoodoo…
…has Melbourne Victory head spun. Their form away at Newcastle now stretches to five losses and four draws in their last nine fixtures, spanning an incredible six years. It wasn’t exactly a performance from the Victory, but the high-press of Newcastle helped created some decent opportunities for the hosts. Melbourne had their fair share of chances as well, but the opposing defence stood firm, as did Ben Kennedy who had a fantastic game in the absence of Mark Birighitti. The Jean-Paul de Marigny factor must also come into consideration as Kevin Muscat’s former right-hand man got one over his old employers, while sitting on the Jets’ bench.