Melbourne City’s Youth have added to City’s early season A-League and W-League derby dominance with a 9-2 thumping over Victory Youth at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday.
Melbourne Victory traded the first blow in the Melbourne Y-League derby as Benjamin Carrigan’s glancing header beat Yaren Sozer from close range. Daniel Arzani’s scintillating strike then led an eight minute blitz from City, which saw them take a 3-1 lead into the half-time interval courtesy of goals to Joshua Cavallo and Denis Genreau.
Braedyn Crowley’s superb five-minute hat trick inspired an impressive second-half performance by Joe Palatsides side, resulting in a dominant 9-2 victory to City. Ramy Najjarine was another stand out for the home side registering a brace of his own.
Starting XI
City Youth head coach Joe Palatsides made one change from the starting XI that faced Adelaide United in City’s 1-1 draw last week, with Yaren Sozer replacing James Delianov.
Ruon Tongyik and Daniel Arzani were both named in the starting line-up after being unused substitutes for the senior squad the night before.
What happened?
The slippery conditions at Lakeside Stadium did little to detract from a pulsating opening 25 minutes as both sides traded blows on the scoreboard.
It was Victory who took the lead after just 18 minutes as Benjamin Carrigan powered a downwards header past Yaren Sozer from close range.
However, City were back on level terms shortly after through a piece of individual brilliance from Daniel Arzani. Picking up the ball on the left wing, Arzani attacked the Victory defence at pace before unleashing a blistering strike which sailed into the top corner from 25 yards.
The equaliser was the catalyst for a 10-minute blitz in which City took the contest by the scruff of the neck. Josh Cavallo’s deceptive free-kick eluded the Victory wall to sneak in at the front post, before Genreau made it 3-1 with a neat header from another well struck Cavallo set piece.
Cavallo then worked hard defensively, as the former Victory man blocked a powerful shot on goal by Nicholas Hatzigeorgiou. Nathanial Atkinson’s work down the right as an attacking wingback was a standout in what proved to be an impressive first-half by the home team.
Much like the first-half, Victory were first to strike in the second 45 when Yazid Said’s neat one-two with Kenny Athiu saw the 18-year-old finish from close range.
Arzani hit back for City 10 minutes later, when he was found in the box by Ramy Najjarine and his right footed strike found the back of the net from close range. Najjarine then went close to extended City’s lead with a powerful shot from outside the box, only to be denied by a solid save from Stephen Hatzikourtis.
Braedyn Crowley’s quick-fire hat-trick extended Joe Palatsides side’s lead to 7-2, his three goals including two sublime set pieces from range. Lucas Derrick made an impact off the bench in the second-half, assisting Crowley for his second goal.
Cavallo went close to registering a brace when his left-footed thunderbolt struck the middle of the crossbar.
Najjarine added salt to the wounds for Victory, sealing his brace with a stoppage-time double and finishing off the result at 9-2. He was found superbly in the box by Genreau for his second goal, who proved to be a catalyst to most of City’s play all evening.
Ruon Tongyik was a calming influence in defence throughout the dominant 90 minutes.
What’s next?
City will look to continue their undefeated start to the Foxtel Y-League when they host Perth Glory Youth at C.B. Smith Reserve next Saturday, 9 December 2017. Kick-off is scheduled at 10:30am for the Round 4 encounter.
