Check Mate, That’s Eighth Straight!

By: Marcus | October 28th, 2009

With Tom Pondeljak out through injury Mate Dugandzic got the nod for his debut start for the club, while guest player Sutee Suksomkit replaced Fabiano as Archie’s partner in crime. He proved the inspiration as Melbourne defeated Adeliade for the eighth consecutive time.

Melbourne celebrate second goal

Melbourne Victory: 3 (Dugandzic 17, 56, Leijer 89)
Adelaide United: 1 (Hughes 64)
Crowd: 21,182 at Etihad Stadium

Melbourne were hoping to continue there impressive form against Adelaide as they had won every game in there past 7 meetings. With the 3-1 victory against the Jet’s last week the match was more than just about a streak, it was about getting all 3 points and continuing there red hot form.

The boys wasted no time in putting pressure onto the Red’s defence. After 12 minutes Archie connected with the ball from a corner but looped it just over the bar.

Adelaide attempted to hit back on the counter as Kemp let Alemao through but his perfect cross wasn’t met by Crisitano. Kristian Sarkies decided to have a long range crack but just like him, it was a wasted opportunity. Melbourne born Matt Leckie squandered a brilliant opportunity as he twisted his way through the Victory defence, then turning Adrian Leijer inside out before shooting straight into Moss.

Melbourne stumbled forward on 17 minutes as Archie fell on the ball, it some how made its way out to Sutee who danced past a defender, most of who were ball watching and laid it off to Dugandzic who placed it perfectly into the bottom left corner to beat Galekovic. 1-0. A great way to celebrate your 20th birthday and senior starting debut.

On 30 minutes Hernandez’s took a cheeky free kick which Galekovic just managed to tip over the bar.

Adelaide started the second half much better and piled forward. Kemp managed to win the ball, then lose it as per usual but to his credit he got back up and won it back and played a terrific through ball which ripped a massive hole in the United defence. Archie let the bal roll on as he was offside, allowing Carlos to run onto it with only Eugnene in front of him. Carlos sprinted into the box and played Mate Dugandzic through, the defence was closing in but Mate just got there and tapped it in for his double and a 2-0 to Melbourne. Great play from Kemp and Hernandez, Hernandez could have gone for it but he unselfishly passed it to Mate to tap it in (I hope you were watching Archie).

Aurelio Vidmar new something had to be done so he switched things around by bring Owusu and Cassio on. The move paid dividends as Owusu rised to meet Fyfe’s cross, he headed it back to Hughes who controlled it beautifully, pivoted around and smashed it past a flat footed Moss, who was having a terrific game keeping a clean sheet for 64 minutes!

The match livened up as both teams attacked. Melbourne had the better chances the first being Archie’s flick which was saved by Galekovic who didn’t know much about it. Substitute Nathan Elasi broke free late on and was one on one with Galekovic but the former Melbourne keeper closed down all angles ensuring it would have to go to the corner.

Hernandez took the corner. His cross was aimed at the back post, it was Leijer against 5 Red’s defenders, Leijer rised highest and Galekovic’s defence left him high and dry again.

(better highlights here, I can’t get it embedded properly)

Great display from the boys, it was great to see Dugandzic and Sutee start. Sutee played quite well and looks like a player that can compliment Archie and fit into the way the team plays. He was treated a bir harshly by he ref as he was fouled a few times but it was ignored. Mate is great. Not only can he play in attacking midfield and score like he showed today but he can go back and defend! Robbie Kruse would have shit himself watching the match. Kemp had one of his better matches, lucky to escape sanctioning for his ridiculous Giladino like dive. For those who didn’t see the match he had the ball, passed it, got nudged, took a few more paces then went down like a sack of potatoes! Good old Kemp!
The defence was great, the 4-4-2 was much more solid and heart attack free.
The only downside is Archie, doesn’t pass when he should, passes when he shouldn’t ARGH! He’s been terrible at home this season, I think he’s missing Danny.