Melbourne City FC will be looking to win its first game of the Y-League season in Sunday afternoon’s derby clash with Melbourne Victory.
Although last week was its first loss of the season, City is sitting fourth in Conference A, having picked up just two points from its first three fixtures.
A third consecutive draw looked certain for City last Saturday, but an Adelaide goal through Daniele Bressan with virtually the last kick of the game gave the Reds a 3-2 win.
A first half United goal was cancelled out by Idrus Abdulahi early in the second half with the 16-year-old tapping home his first goal of the season.
The Reds restored their lead ten minutes later, but City were again able to equalise. A scuffed clearance in the 78th minute saw Jordi Valadon pick up a loose ball and lob the Reds keeper to score an impressive goal from distance.
This looked to be enough for City to come home with a draw but Bressan’s effort in the fifth minute of added time snatched all three points for the hosts.
Melbourne Victory has seen a little more success than their cross-town rival four rounds into the Y-League season.
Victory sit just one spot ahead of City on the table but have been able to win two of their three matches.
They were defeated 7-0 by the Roar in their season opener but bounced back strongly beating Adelaide 1-0 the next week and Perth 2-1 a fortnight ago before sitting out last round with a bye.
Victory will be looking to continue this form in Sunday’s derby, but City will be eager to continue its recent youth derby dominance.
City won both last year, 4-1 and 3-2 with five of City’s goals coming from Moudi Najjar, Connor Metcalfe and Stefan Colakovski in those games.
City’s last loss in a youth derby came in round nine of the 2017-18 season, conceding twice in the first half before Ramy Najjarine pulled a goal back in the 55th minute.
Match Details
Foxtel Y-League – Conference A: Round 5
When: Sunday, December 15
Where: CB Smith Reserve, Fawkner
Time: Kick-off 3:00pm
