Just two games into the Australian Football season, it’s definitely too early to call this the title decider – yet it certainly will have ramifications on the final standings. This is down to both club’s recent successes and figurehead status in both Australian and Asian football.
Whilst it’s early in the season, both teams will come into the fixture with a certain swagger considering they’re both undefeated. Melbourne City is one of two teams to have 100% record in the league having won their first two games. On the opening day, they had the arduous affair of commuting to New Zealand to play the league’s only non-Australian team, Wellington Phoenix.
Despite the long travel time, Melbourne was not phased as they were 1-0 winners as Anthony Caceres scored the winning goal.
Melbourne City then faced their city rivals, Melbourne Victory. In addition to being a derby game, the match also marked the debut of Tim Cahill who played his first ever A-League game. As if the game build-up was already very Cahill-centric, the veteran forward left his mark on the Melbourne derby with an ever-so-sweet strike which reminded us all of the talents he truly is. The game was still well balanced for the most part but ended 4-1 in favour of City group.
It just gets better everytime, Tim Cahill's sweet strike against Melbourne Victory.
Perth Glory is also unbeaten, although suffered an unusual tie with the Central Coast Mariners.
The Glory was up 3-0 to the good, a brace from re-signed Adam Taggart set them up well. Then former Sporting Gijón marksman put them up by three from the spot. They went into half-time with their heads held high, yet the “game of two halves” cliché was truly validated in the following forty-five minutes of play. They conceded early on and in the final ten minutes conceded both an own goal and a penalty kick which was converted by former Sunderland striker, Roy O’Donovan which wrapped up the affair 3-3.
Highlights from the aforementioned game between the Glory and the Central Coast.
Their next game was altogether more enjoyable for the Glory fans, another home game – this time against Wellington Phoenix. Diego Castro was good from the spot again and the Serbian, Marinković, secured the goals in a 2-0 win. Although the trip to the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium this weekend is certainly a much sterner test.
The games between these two sides are usually very exciting, the last game saw Melbourne City win 2-0 – the final series game. The encounter prior to that, however, saw a different winner as Perth managed to win 3-2. The Uruguayan, Bruno Fornaroli, has a knack for this fixture having scored four goals for Melbourne City against Perth Glory in his last four games against them. This early meeting in the season is set to be the acid test for their respective seasons.
The game kicks off on Friday morning at 9:50am UK time, 7:50pm Melbourne, Victoria time.
