Auckland FC battled back twice to secure a 2–2 home draw against Melbourne Victory FC in A-League action on Matchday 24, with all four goals coming from open play in an entertaining contest.
The visitors struck first on 23 minutes. Franco Lino gave Melbourne Victory the lead, finishing after service from Denis Genreau to make it 1–0. Auckland responded right on the cusp of half-time, as Sam Cosgrove levelled in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, sending the sides into the break at 1–1.
Melbourne Victory restored their advantage shortly after the restart. In the 53rd minute, Nishan Velupillay found the net to put the away side 2–1 up. Auckland kept pressing and were rewarded in the closing stages, when Lachlan Brook struck in the 82nd minute to bring the match back to 2–2.
The game carried an edge throughout, reflected in a series of bookings on both sides. Jason Davidson was the first into the book for Melbourne Victory on 11 minutes, before Auckland’s Brook and Louis Verstraete received yellow cards in the first half. Genreau was later booked for the visitors, while late cautions went to Jonty Bidois and Victory’s Lachlan Jackson.
There was major late drama when Auckland’s Steve Corica was shown a red card in the 88th minute, leaving the hosts to see out the final moments with a numerical disadvantage. Both coaches turned to their benches with multiple substitutions across the match, including introductions for Logan Rogerson, Cameron Howieson and Bidois for Auckland, and Louis D’Arrigo, Daniel Dragićević, Reno Piscopo, Adama Traoré and Jackson for Melbourne Victory.
More detailed statistical data and full line-ups were not immediately available at the time of writing. For additional match information, visit the Ballaxy match centre or the A-League hub.
A League Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Newcastle United Jets FC
|
26 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 55 | 39 | 16 | 48 | W D D |
| 2 |
Adelaide United FC
|
26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 46 | 36 | 10 | 43 | W W D |
| 3 |
Auckland FC
|
26 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 42 | 29 | 13 | 42 | D L D |
| 4 |
Melbourne Victory FC
|
26 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 44 | 33 | 11 | 40 | W D D L |
| 5 |
Sydney FC
|
26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 33 | 25 | 8 | 39 | D D W |
| 6 |
Melbourne City FC
|
26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 38 | L W W W W |
| 7 |
Macarthur FC
|
26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 37 | 44 | -7 | 34 | W L L |
| 8 |
Wellington Phoenix FC
|
26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 33 | L W L W |
| 9 |
Central Coast Mariners FC
|
26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 35 | 42 | -7 | 32 | L W D L D |
| 10 |
Perth Glory FC
|
26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 32 | 39 | -7 | 31 | W D W D |
| 11 |
Brisbane Roar FC
|
26 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 27 | 36 | -9 | 26 | L L D |
| 12 |
Western Sydney Wanderers FC
|
26 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 27 | 43 | -16 | 21 | L L L L |
