Entertainment

ALW Semi-Final: Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City

27. Apr, 2023

There are few match-ups in Australian soccer that are as big as Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City. On Saturday 15 April, the two teams lived up to their fierce rivalry during the A-League Women’s (ALW) elimination semi-final. Milk Bar attended the match at Casey’s newly repurposed VFL field.

Melbourne Victory dramatically defeated Melbourne City, winning on penalties, in one of the most memorable A-League semi-finals in history. Match highlights in the rain-drenched derby included two goals by City’s Rihanna Pollicina, and striker Melina Ayres’ spot-kick penalty and two goals at the 67th and 72nd minutes. Claiming a hat-trick, Ayres is just the second ALW player in history (behind Sam Kerr) to do so.

Somehow, City managed to level the scores 3-3 with only 30 seconds left in regular play. Extra time came and went with the scoreboard failing to change – notwithstanding repeated attacking efforts from the pale blues. Victory’s goalkeeper extraordinaire Casey Dumont almost won the penalty shoot-out, taking one shot and saving two of City’s three penalty kicks, consequently keeping Victory’s hopes of a Championship three-peat well and truly alive.

Despite the doom and gloom of the grey skies above, the wet track below and the cold temperature, the on-field spectacle was nothing short of a sizzling and hotly contested semi-final battle. For that, both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City should be applauded.

Photos: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.