Melbourne City has climbed to second place in the Isuzu UTE A-League standings after staging a remarkable comeback to defeat Brisbane Roar 3-2 in a captivating match at AAMI Park.
The visitors sent shockwaves through the home crowd in just the ninth minute when in-form striker Asumah Abubakar struck from within the box. Although initially flagged for offside, a swift VAR review confirmed that the former Portuguese youth international had timed his run perfectly, slipping the ball past goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
After regrouping at half-time, City emerged with renewed urgency, equalising through the outstanding Marco Tilio, who expertly weaved into the box before sending a powerful effort beyond goalkeeper Matt Acton in the 57th minute.
Just four minutes later, the home side surprisingly took the lead as striker Max Caputo capitalised on a defensive error, skillfully lifting his shot over the keeper to make it 2-1.
However, Brisbane fought back, managing to level the scores in the 69th minute despite having only registered a single shot on goal prior. Keegan Jelacic’s attempt from outside the area took a notable deflection, wrong-footing Beach and nestling in the net.
But it was not long before City, who was dominating proceedings at AAMI Park, found their winning goal in the 85th minute. German Ferreyra rose to meet a corner, directing a powerful header into the net to secure a 3-2 victory.
This win elevates City above their Victorian rivals Western United and places them in second on the ladder, just three points behind leaders Auckland FC, albeit having played one game more.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar remains in 12th place after suffering their 15th defeat of the season, and they risk dropping to the bottom of the table if Perth avoids defeat against Adelaide on Saturday night.
Nevertheless, there was a silver lining for Brisbane as fan-favourite Jack Hingert made a record-breaking 304th appearance for the club.
Many fans may not have given Brisbane Roar much of a chance against the soaring Melbourne City, yet the visitors stunned AAMI Park early on.
After racing onto a through ball from Keegan Jelacic, the speedy forward Abubakar broke into the box and slotted the ball past Beach to open the scoring at 1-0, only for the offside flag to be raised.
However, a rapid VAR review determined that City captain Aziz Behich was playing the forward onside, leading to a reversal of the decision that gave Brisbane the lead.
Despite enjoying the majority of possession, the home side struggled to create clear scoring opportunities; Caputo’s powerful header went wide of the target in the 35th minute after he was well-positioned inside the box.
City attempted to change the game’s momentum by introducing midfielder Steven Ugarkovic at half-time for Callum Talbot, creating an immediate chance; Caputo narrowly missed the equaliser by steering Medin Memeti’s cutback over the bar.
Revitalised after the break, the home side eventually found the equaliser in the 57th minute through Tilio.
Receiving an exquisite cross-field pass from defender Ferreyra, Tilio beat Jack Hingert to the ball, took an exceptional first touch, and deftly evaded his marker before finding the net, making it 1-1.
Once they levelled the score, City quickly turned the game around.
Driving towards the box, Tilio executed a quick one-two with Caputo, before unleashing a shot that was initially blocked by the defence. The ball fortuitously fell into Caputo’s path, and he directed his shot into the roof of the net to hand City a 2-1 advantage.
In a surprising twist, Brisbane Roar found the net with just their second shot of the match.
After receiving a pass at the edge of the area, Jelacic steadied himself and took a shot that took an unfortunate deflection off Ferreyra, curling beyond Beach and into the far corner.
In response, City looked to equalise immediately as teenager Memeti hit the bar with a header; however, the home side continued to ramp up the pressure, and the away team’s defence buckled again.
Darting towards the near post, Ferreyra was unmarked as he powered home Yonatan Cohen’s outswinging corner, scoring his first goal in the Isuzu UTE A-League and putting City ahead 3-2.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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