Melbourne Victory 1-1 Gold Coast United
Hah! I just got that! Melbourne Victory, it's like Melbourne, Victoria! Touché Australia. I had you all down as thieves and low lives, but well done. Hah. Anyway, on a cloudy day in...Launceston? Wait, isn't that in Tasmania? *Checks map* It is! What?! Hang on.
Melbourne - Launceston
Gold Coast - Launceston
Granted those don't count taking a plane, but still! Wait, what's that? They what? Oh...that...alright. OK, well it turns out those games that were missed out throughout the season are played at random intervals in random locations to try and build support for the game/league throughout Australia...huh.
Oh, right, the match. So yeah, cloudy day. Launceston (Crazy people). Right, OK, set? A late goal from Michael Thwaite once again denied Melbourne Victory the maximum three points, and brings their recent record to three draws and a loss in their last 4 matches. Harry Kewell scored his 3rd goal of the season from a well taken free kick in the 66th minute.
Jim Magilton is still searching for his first win as Victory boss, and loan signing Mark Milligan, who is really expected to make his mark on the league during his spell down under, was very quiet. The 26 year old loanee from Japanese side JEF United was solid at the back, but admittedly didn't have to do much, and when called upon to defend in the dying moments of the game, the entire defence was at fault for allowing the goal.
Take nothing away from Gold Coast, though. They defended like lions, and while they only had 31% of possession, they made their possession count in the end, though Victory will kick themsleves for letting this one slip through their hands.
Victory are now down in 8th place and 3 points from the finals. As for GCU, they are still bottom, 5 points from Adelaide who are 9th, and with 9 points separating Gold Coast and Sydney in 6th, I think it's safe to rule them out of the play offs. They are pretty much left fighting to avoid the wooden spoon come the end of the regular season.
Special news
Not very long here, but Melbourne Heart have begun the search for a new Head Coach after current boss and former Ajax and Genoa great John van ‘t Schip announced he will step down when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Van 't Schip (what a weird name) was Heart's first head coach and will leave the club having brought a philosophy of attacking football and investment in a good youth system. He has unearthed gems such as Eli Babalj and Aziz Behich, while spit-polishing players like Mate Dugandzic.
He is also currently overseeing what could be a very succesful season for Heart, although they have started to slip away a bit recently. Heart have confirmed they will begin immediately the search fror a replacement with a view to having one installed by the end of the season.
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