The Western Sydney Wanderers have blown a golden opportunity to break their Etihad Stadium hoodoo, forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with a ten man Melbourne Victory on Monday night.
Goals by Oriol Riera and Thomas Deng resulted in the points being shared by the two sides after Melbourne Victory were reduced to 10 men early in the first half.
The Wanderers were quick to pounce on the opportunity of a depleted Melbourne side who were already without Besart Barisha, Kosta Barbarouses and James Triosi when the Wanderers found the opening goal through Oriol Riera.
Álvaro Cejudo played the ball in behind for Raúl Llorente whose fast pace and pinpoint cross was met by Riera’s header.
Jumpei Kusukami was brought down in the box by Rhys Williams and was awarded a contentious penalty.
Riera stepped up to take the spot kick but the shot was expertly read by goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas.
Victory fired back with the equaliser early in the second half with Leroy George curling in a set piece that was finished by Deng.
Roly Bonevacia had the best chance of the night to put the Wanderers back in front, but his strike plowed into the post.
The Wanderers remain in fourth spot on the ladder with one win and four draws, six points behind the league leading Sydney FC
Catch all the action of the Wanderers clash against Melbourne City this Sunday from AAMI Park in Melbourne on SWR Triple 9! Sunday at 7pm on SWR Triple 9 via Football Nation
Goals by Oriol Riera and Thomas Deng resulted in the points being shared by the two sides after Melbourne Victory were reduced to 10 men early in the first half.
The Wanderers were quick to pounce on the opportunity of a depleted Melbourne side who were already without Besart Barisha, Kosta Barbarouses and James Triosi when the Wanderers found the opening goal through Oriol Riera.
Álvaro Cejudo played the ball in behind for Raúl Llorente whose fast pace and pinpoint cross was met by Riera’s header.
Jumpei Kusukami was brought down in the box by Rhys Williams and was awarded a contentious penalty.
Riera stepped up to take the spot kick but the shot was expertly read by goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas.
Victory fired back with the equaliser early in the second half with Leroy George curling in a set piece that was finished by Deng.
Roly Bonevacia had the best chance of the night to put the Wanderers back in front, but his strike plowed into the post.
The Wanderers remain in fourth spot on the ladder with one win and four draws, six points behind the league leading Sydney FC
Catch all the action of the Wanderers clash against Melbourne City this Sunday from AAMI Park in Melbourne on SWR Triple 9! Sunday at 7pm on SWR Triple 9 via Football Nation