City Views – Hot August Night
Melbourne City took advantage of a horrible defensive display from the usual reliable Wellington Phoenix to advance to the quarter final stage of the FFA Cup. City fans were in full voice as their team strolled to a 4-1 lead at half time and a final result of 5-1. A possible hamstring injury to Frenchman Harry Novillo was the only dampener on what could be remembered for the night that not only kick started the 2015 Melbourne City season but the club as a whole.
City fans experienced their first Melbourne FFA Cup game in the cups history, something sadly Wellington fans won’t get to experience under the current rules. As the crowd settled they were treated to one of the best preseason displays in recent time. Within the first 30 minutes City was 3-0 up and any Cup hopes across the ditch were well and truly shot. A double change from Merrick at the 34th minute failed to have any impact on the game and only saw the Phoenix defence capitulate again.
The second City penalty probably summed up the game perfectly when stand in keeper Lewis Italiano gifted the hosts the penalty after Robert Koren was far too heavy on a ball in the penalty area. The favour was returned by Paulo Retre who appeared lost as sea in the defence and also was the culprit of a sloppy defensive effort that lead to a penalty and the only Wellington goal of the tie. Any chance of a Wellington comeback was thwart by a Robert Koren goal just before halftime after you guessed it another calamitous effort by the Nix.
As a club Melbourne City made the courageous decision to play the tie at AAMI Park knowing the club would most likely make a significant financial loss from the game given the low midweek crowd but ultimately this should pay off for the club with plenty to like for fans tonight and an expectation that the membership hotline should be running hot in the morning.
City have now reached the final 8 for the first time and join other winners from tonight Adelaide United, Heidelberg United and Perth Glory. The final four teams will be decided next week Tuesday.
Although the game will be remembered for Wellington’s defensive efforts plenty of City fans walked away from AAMI Park wondering if 2015/16 could be the season that the club finally delivers after a tumultuous five years.
It may only be August but there is plenty to like about this City outfit.
Melbourne City 5 (Mooy 18’P, Novillo 21′, Fornaroli 32’P, Koren 40′, Dekker 49′) defeated Wellington Phoenix 1 (Krishna 33’P)
Image – The World Game
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