We need to slow this game down and end it. I’m nervous it could end like our recent CCM game.
Agree with what I’m hearing about Rufer. He’s been everywhere.
Agree with what I’m hearing about Rufer. He’s been everywhere.
WPM Semi Final Leg 1 vs Melbourne Victory | Sun 12th May | 6:00pm | Sky Sport 3
I miss Salass old dope yellow hair.
Not sure what the 5 min is for. Hardly any injuries etc.
that sets up next week nicely
Yeah boooooi! That draw feels a wee bit like a win.
Job done, bring on an RoF sell out!!
Well done boys, not pretty but typically effective.
Well done boys, not pretty but typically effective.
Victory players look like they have lost a game.
That was IMMENSELY stressful. And breathe…..
We weren’t bad but we didn’t offer much. Pretty relieved to escape unscathed and with no red cards.
Does NZ have a space programe? because the nix keep sending the ball to the moon whenever shooting it
Let’s fudgeing GO at sky stadium on Saturday. Fire up! 🔥
A good result for us. Kept them scoreless and reduced them to half chances and shots from distance.
However, we will need to bring way more going forward next weekend. No shot on target, no real chances created and we didn't bring Zawada into the game at all is a worry.
Although maybe that's the way Chiefy wanted it, shut up shop at the back and get the draw.
I am hoping for more accuracy in passing and more of a drive forward though. Will be an epic game.
However, we will need to bring way more going forward next weekend. No shot on target, no real chances created and we didn't bring Zawada into the game at all is a worry.
Although maybe that's the way Chiefy wanted it, shut up shop at the back and get the draw.
I am hoping for more accuracy in passing and more of a drive forward though. Will be an epic game.
Why is sly not showing the post match?
Why is sly not showing the post match?
Even the YouTube stream stopped straight away. Annoyed about that as was keen to hear the captain's and managers.
Grmmppff going forward.
Defensiv Masterclass.
Defensiv Masterclass.
That lineup was put out to chase a draw. We got that.
We need to be way more attacking in WLG. Kosta, Kraev, Salas and Zawada all need to start.
We need to be way more attacking in WLG. Kosta, Kraev, Salas and Zawada all need to start.
Family group chat just became very active as we discuss the game with our melbourne side of the fam (they actually think they'll win next week lol)
They only had 16K+ there? We are going to crush that figure!
That lineup was put out to chase a draw. We got that.
We need to be way more attacking in WLG. Kosta, Kraev, Salas and Zawada all need to start.
We need to be way more attacking in WLG. Kosta, Kraev, Salas and Zawada all need to start.
I doubt Zawada will start.
So many salty Victory fans online saying how boring we play and park the bus. I bet they would take it if they did it and made a grand final
Solid enough. With a bit of luck that has blown out some cobwebs and we'll be better for it. Plus the home crowd riding the ref and getting the boys going.
Should be a great night out.
COYN.
Should be a great night out.
COYN.
So many salty Victory fans online saying how boring we play and park the bus. I bet they would take it if they did it and made a grand final
I don't think that was our initial plan. We just unable to go forward, we where quit shark, except the first 12 minutes.
Come on boys and girls. Let us be honest. If we had been offered 0-0 tonight before kickoff or take your chances on what might happen, i would have taken 0-0 any day of the week.
With the away goals rule NOT being used - it effectively makes it a 90-minute home semifinal, with a huge crowd.
MV hugely missed Zinedine Machach tonight. They also will not have him next week either.
Ands huge up yours to Archie Thompson who reckoned before kickoff there would be lots of goals and that MV would be "too strong".
With the away goals rule NOT being used - it effectively makes it a 90-minute home semifinal, with a huge crowd.
MV hugely missed Zinedine Machach tonight. They also will not have him next week either.
Ands huge up yours to Archie Thompson who reckoned before kickoff there would be lots of goals and that MV would be "too strong".
Told ya so, another Pennington horror show. Gives it away and then hastily scrambles to get it back copping a yellow. I honestly don't understand what people see in him. He puts us under so much pressure with these cheap turn overs. although others are guilty there as well.
Pennington and Payne are piss poor today
At the back yes, he's been gold, but has been very waste full in their half.
A midfield of Rufs and Roly on current form would be unstoppable.
Why is sly not showing the post match?
Even the YouTube stream stopped straight away. Annoyed about that as was keen to hear the captain's and managers.
My only guess is broadcasting rights they didn't wana pay for? Purely me guessing though. Very odd
Would have taken a draw without a second thought.
Neither team looked like scoring to be honest, which is a win for us - MV were at home and wanted and advantage going into next week.
Surman was phenomenal today with his blocks, heading and just been in the way all the time. Hughes will have big shoes to fill next season.
Neither team looked like scoring to be honest, which is a win for us - MV were at home and wanted and advantage going into next week.
Surman was phenomenal today with his blocks, heading and just been in the way all the time. Hughes will have big shoes to fill next season.
Would have taken a draw without a second thought.
Neither team looked like scoring to be honest, which is a win for us - MV were at home and wanted and advantage going into next week.
Surman was phenomenal today with his blocks, heading and just been in the way all the time. Hughes will have big shoes to fill next season.
Neither team looked like scoring to be honest, which is a win for us - MV were at home and wanted and advantage going into next week.
Surman was phenomenal today with his blocks, heading and just been in the way all the time. Hughes will have big shoes to fill next season.
I mean, the sponsors give them their own boots. It’s not like some school teams where there’s a kit bag for everyone to share.
A stressful watch, but that sets it up nicely for next weekend. Gonna be a looonnnggg week this week! Delighted with the draw. Felt like old was trying to score some worldies that weren’t going to happen, but at least we tried. And kudos to all those that filled the corner, hats off! I’d say you were noisy but I’ve no idea. Had to watch most of the game on mute due to witching hour 😂
Blood pressure starting to come down now.
Let’s get the job done on Saturday and hope Sydney do the same so we get a home final!!
Let’s get the job done on Saturday and hope Sydney do the same so we get a home final!!
Let it go, let it roll right off your shoulder don't you know, the hardest part is over.
Come on boys and girls. Let us be honest. If we had been offered 0-0 tonight before kickoff or take your chances on what might happen, i would have taken 0-0 any day of the week.
With the away goals rule NOT being used - it effectively makes it a 90-minute home semifinal, with a huge crowd.
MV hugely missed Zinedine Machach tonight. They also will not have him next week either.
Ands huge up yours to Archie Thompson who reckoned before kickoff there would be lots of goals and that MV would be "too strong".
With the away goals rule NOT being used - it effectively makes it a 90-minute home semifinal, with a huge crowd.
MV hugely missed Zinedine Machach tonight. They also will not have him next week either.
Ands huge up yours to Archie Thompson who reckoned before kickoff there would be lots of goals and that MV would be "too strong".
I think a draw was always on the cards. We might not win there much but do draw and we've had the rub over MV this season. A shock would have been for us to lose.
Whelp...that was an intense 90 minutes. I can't remember the last time I was sweating so much during a game in which I wasn't actually participating.
I had intrusive thoughts throughout and kept imagining Victory snatching a late goal...phew.
Really solid defensive performance although I didn't like how we lost the ball too casually in the first 15-20min.
And for a good 30 minutes of the second half, we just couldn't keep possession, which was also concerning.
Great to come home and have it all to play for.
I had intrusive thoughts throughout and kept imagining Victory snatching a late goal...phew.
Really solid defensive performance although I didn't like how we lost the ball too casually in the first 15-20min.
And for a good 30 minutes of the second half, we just couldn't keep possession, which was also concerning.
Great to come home and have it all to play for.
This Saturday's return leg has to be the biggest soccer match in NZ since the 2010 WC Qualifier.
That lineup was put out to chase a draw. We got that.
We need to be way more attacking in WLG. Kosta, Kraev, Salas and Zawada all need to start.
We need to be way more attacking in WLG. Kosta, Kraev, Salas and Zawada all need to start.
Salas was under an injury cloud and didn't do that well once he came on. He's sort of lost the shine he in the first 2-3 games. Love his intensity, technique and stamina, but with Payne fit and Nico in good form, I'm glad he didn't start.
Zawada...well of course I'd always like him to start but Chiefy and his staff are best placed to see if he's more likely to do damage from the start or as a sub
An away goal is king, and not letting them score at all is even better.
Away goals count for jack.
Scoring more than them across 2 legs is all that counts
Stoked to come away from AAMI with a draw!
Before the match I thought a 1 goal deficit wouldn't be the worst thing so with that in mind this is a great result!
Will still be a lot of work next week to break them down and get the win, but hey - at least it's at home in front of the Fever who will be making a great atmosphere.
Also I though Rufer was great tonight, such a big player for us
Before the match I thought a 1 goal deficit wouldn't be the worst thing so with that in mind this is a great result!
Will still be a lot of work next week to break them down and get the win, but hey - at least it's at home in front of the Fever who will be making a great atmosphere.
Also I though Rufer was great tonight, such a big player for us
We were so close to scoring with that Pennington ball across goal in the first minutes. Almost!
Shout out to a full defensive masterclass, but I also think when we attacked we looked likely.
Bring on Saturday!!
Shout out to a full defensive masterclass, but I also think when we attacked we looked likely.
Bring on Saturday!!
I was a little worried beforehand we might get a mauling, meaning the home leg would end up a damp squib for the 20k+ crowd. Should've had more faith in Chief and the guys, but then 17 years of Melb away game heartache will do that to you.
Victory are a strange, unbalanced sort of team. Excellent defence but for a team that's chock full of attacking talent they often flatter to deceive. Arzani, Ikonomidis, Folami, Vilupillay, Khelifi, they are all quite similar: fast, skillful wide players who like running at defenders. It's overkill having them all on the park and makes their attack too one dimensional, especially when up against a team with an extremely well drilled defence like the Nix.
I'm certainly not saying we got that draw easily but when you consider how many wasted long range shots MV took and how even the ones on target barely tested Paulsen then I think we managed the game extremely well.
Victory are a strange, unbalanced sort of team. Excellent defence but for a team that's chock full of attacking talent they often flatter to deceive. Arzani, Ikonomidis, Folami, Vilupillay, Khelifi, they are all quite similar: fast, skillful wide players who like running at defenders. It's overkill having them all on the park and makes their attack too one dimensional, especially when up against a team with an extremely well drilled defence like the Nix.
I'm certainly not saying we got that draw easily but when you consider how many wasted long range shots MV took and how even the ones on target barely tested Paulsen then I think we managed the game extremely well.
Come on boys and girls. Let us be honest. If we had been offered 0-0 tonight before kickoff or take your chances on what might happen, i would have taken 0-0 any day of the week.
With the away goals rule NOT being used - it effectively makes it a 90-minute home semifinal, with a huge crowd.
MV hugely missed Zinedine Machach tonight. They also will not have him next week either.
Ands huge up yours to Archie Thompson who reckoned before kickoff there would be lots of goals and that MV would be "too strong".
With the away goals rule NOT being used - it effectively makes it a 90-minute home semifinal, with a huge crowd.
MV hugely missed Zinedine Machach tonight. They also will not have him next week either.
Ands huge up yours to Archie Thompson who reckoned before kickoff there would be lots of goals and that MV would be "too strong".
I think a draw was always on the cards. We might not win there much but do draw and we've had the rub over MV this season. A shock would have been for us to lose.
Had the rub over MV this season?!
Nix have played 180+ mins this campaign against the VUC at AAMI Park, without a shot on goal! It's borderline incredible they have managed 2 draws there.
I don't recall watching 4 games between 2 teams in a season, where there has been so little between them. It's almost bizarre how much they cancel each other out. This Saturday will be tight again you'd wager. A big moment like a red card could settle it. I'm sure the Nix will be practising their pens!