About this time last year I was looking for any and all live soccer to watch on TV. One Saturday night I stumbled across the Australian A League on Fox Soccer. I gave it a shot. Sure it's not EPL or Serie A, but it's a good league that is gaining strength and skill every season. Sort or like MLS, only younger.
After watching a few matches I decided to support Melbourne Victory. Every year their fixtures with Sydney FC are called "The Big Blue." This was the first Big Blue of the season on it's very first day.
The crowd in Melbourne was electric as these two teams, arguably the most successful in the A League's short history, kicked off. Both sides were bolstered by Australians returning from Europe to play in the A League. The Victory had Harry Kewell and Sydney had Bret Emerton. Both would figure in the match.
Things got off to a torrid start as both sides had chances in the early minutes. In the 4th minute Victory man Danny Allsopp had a close up shot that Reddy managed to save by taking it in the stomach. On the Sydney counter, Mark Bridge rifled a shot at the Victory goal, but Covic was able to stop that as well. Then in minute 29 Sydney had a free kick right outside the 18. The kick itself took a ricochet and Bridge made his presence felt by firing it back on goal, but again Covic was up to the task.
Sydney looked to be gifted the lead in the 33rd minute as Leijer committed a foul in the box. Former Blackburn man Emerton stepped up to take the spot kick, but his pedestrian effort was easily saved by Covic and we went to the half tied at 0-0.
Even though there were no goals in the second half, there was still a big story to talk about. As the Victory set up for a free kick just outside the Sydney 18 in the 74th, a scrum erupted in the wall. Mark Bridge elbowed a Victory player in the throat and earned himself a straight red card for his trouble.
Unfortunately for us Victory supporters, Melbourne was not able to take advantage of being a man up. They had some nice chances down the final 15 from Allsopp, Broxham, and Rojas, but Reddy was just as good in the Sydney goal as Covic was for the Victory and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. There were quite a few good chances though.
All in all it was an energetic start to the new A League season.
I was there mate. Dead right about the atmosphere, felt life a cup final. Shame Victory could not put a winner through, though a lot to look forward to for the new season
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