Capping off their third successive finals appearance with an elusive W-League championship, Melbourne Victory’s past five years represent a remarkable journey - one that should inspire those inside their own building.
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On that March afternoon - the stands emptied of all but friends and family as the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic began to become apparent - Steph Catley’s 15th-minute strike powered City over Sydney and to its fourth W-League title in five seasons; the Matildas’ star captaining an XI that featured ten senior internationals and had set new records for domination in the proceeding season.
Thursday was the first meeting between the two foes since and, with the last-minute determination that the surface of Frank Holohan Soccer Complex was unsafe, proceedings once again took place behind-closed-doors at AAMI Park.
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Late in Sunday s game at Epping Stadium, play had to be stopped for several minutes as the referee, City captain Emma Checker and Victory skipper Angela Beard attempted to calm the crowd down.
It took the gloss off City s thrilling 3-2 win, which was a remarkable turnaround from their 6-0 loss to the same team a week earlier.
City coach Rado Vidosic condemned the behaviour as not acceptable and lauded the referee s swift action. Come here, support your team, that s brilliant . but to throw things at a goalkeeper, a female goalkeeper - and she s a Matilda - I don t think that s the right way of dealing with the situation, he said.
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In a remarkable turnaround Melbourne City handed Melbourne Victory their first defeat of the W-League season in an incident-packed thriller at Epping Stadium.
But the finale to the 3-2 win was marred by a lengthy delay in the closing minutes because Victory supporters hurled abuse and bottles at City goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who had produced some excellent saves to deny Victory as they pressed for a stoppage time leveller.
Both coaches, Victory s Jeff Hopkins and City s Rado Vidosic, condemned the spectators who cast a blight on the match conclusion.
City and Victory club coaches have condemned spectators who hurled abuse and cans at goalkeeper Teagan Micah on Sunday.
Graham Denholm/Getty Images
Melbourne City goalkeeper Teagan Micah removes a can thrown onto the pitch during the round four W-League football match at Epping Stadium. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
In a remarkable turnaround Melbourne City handed Melbourne Victory their first defeat of the W-League season in an incident-packed thriller at Epping Stadium. But the finale to the 3-2 win was marred by a lengthy delay in the closing minutes because Victory supporters hurled abuse and bottles at City goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who had produced some excellent saves to deny Victory as they pressed for a stoppage time leveller.