A young and inexperienced Melbourne Victory side did what few believed they could by claiming a point in a 0-0 draw with Brisbane Roar and in doing so handing traditional rivals Adelaide United the A-League’s Premiers’ Plate.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat sent out a much-changed side at AAMI Park with his squad having arrived back just two days ago from their Asian Champions League assignment against Suwon Bluewings, and with their A-League fate already decided.
With Victory missing the likes of Mathieu Delpierre, Kosta Barbarouses, Leigh Broxham and Besart Berisha, Brisbane were widely favoured to win the three points that would have seen them end the 2015-16 home-and-away season on top of the ladder.
But Muscat’s youthful charges proved their doubters wrong with a dogged display that frustrated the would-be premiers from Queensland.
The result confirms Adelaide’s astonishing transformation from zeroes to heroes, after sitting on the bottom of the competition, winless after eight rounds. After a 2-0 away win over Melbourne City on Friday night, United watched and waited from Adelaide, needing the Roar to slip up against the Victory.
Their arch-rivals duly delivered as Brisbane bottled their chance to win the premiership in John Aloisi’s first season in charge, handing the Reds a second Premiers’ Plate, a decade after their first.
Roar had their chances to put the game to bed and ensure the Plate would accompany them back to Brisbane, but a combination of profligacy in front of goal and an outstanding performance from Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas ensured Adelaide were the big winners on the night.
Brisbane were left to rue two golden opportunities in particular. The first fell to captain Matt McKay as early as the third minute, but he somehow conspired to put wide when the ball found him at the back post, and then Jamie Maclaren wasted a one-on-one chance with Thomas just before the hour mark.
Thomas capped a fine individual display with crucial saves to deny substitute Henrique and then James Donachie as time ran down.
Roar now stand to lose second place when Western Sydney meet Wellington Phoenix on Sunday. A win for Wanderers will see them leapfrog Brisbane and set up an intriguing rematch between the Roar and Victory in an elimination final.
