Heart Dominates For A Draw

Heart Dominates For A Draw

By Mark Humphrey

Melbourne Heart dominated their A-League fixtured game at AAMI Stadium against the Wellington Phoenix to come away with a draw. With more than 60% of possession the Heart was unable to dominate the scoreboard even with the assistance of a 10 man opposition. You would have to say that this game was one that got away from the Heart.Skippers go head to head. Heart's skipper Harry Kewell was closely guarded by Phoenix's skipper Andrew Durante

Heart mid-fielder David Williams was in everything early and provided plenty of spark up forward having the first shot on goal inside the first 3 minutes of game time. Williams, who can be a touch inconsistent, would go on and play a pivotal part in the match for the Heart.Heart's David Williams was active all game

Shortly after the Williams attempt Wellington’s Roy Krishna took possession of the ball just inside his half and with a superb solo effort down the right side managed to evade several heart defenders to find himself shooting from the corner of the box. Heart’s goalie Andrew Redmayne was helpless as Krishna muscled the ball past the keeper deep into the net. Wellington had their first on the board at the 5 minute mark much to the dismay of the Heart faithful. From this point on, Melbourne Heart played catch up with regards to the score board.

For the next 20 minutes of the game the Heart attacked their goals with vigour. Williams, Engelaar and Kewell combined to only get as far as the Phoenix keeper Glenn Moss who was in for a very hectic day in front of the net. Next up was a cross that was headed into the back of the net by Heart’s Jonatan Germano. Unfortunately for Germano the goal didn’t stand as he was ruled off-side. Heart on the attack again with Kewell this time unable to get a piece of the ball as the ball drifts over the back. Shortly afterwards Williams broke the line to cross to Dugandzic in front of goal. Dugandzic strike was high with yet another golden opportunity slipping by. Dugandzic stepped up to take a Williams free kick just outside the zone. Dugandzic made a meal of the attempt as the ball floated well wide of the goals. 24 minutes into the match and the Melbourne Heart found themselves with a corner. The incoming kick was scrambled away from the danger zone by the Wellington defence only as far as a waiting Dugandzic who belted the ball goal wards. A very slight diversion claimed by Germano was enough to get the ball past Moss to open up the Heart’s account. Replays failed to show any real deflection by Germano so you would have to say that Dugandzic’s strike had Phoenix goalie Glenn Moss beaten hands down. With 24 minutes gone in the match the Heart had tied the game up 1-1. One thing that Heart has done all season is fight due to the fact that most of the time they are coming from behind.

Not finished with yet, the Heart immediately was back on the charge with both Williams and Kewell firing in shots that missed the mark. Wellington’s Sigmund was red carded after a crude tackle on Kewell 33 minutes into the match. From this point on the Heart had an advantage with the extra man and should have made the Phoenix pay.

With the first half done and dusted it was hard to see where the Phoenix was going to get the win from as it was hard to remember them having any shots at goal during the first half. Obviously they scored and had several other attacks on goal but so dominate were the Heart in the first half it just seemed like the ball never got out of the Heart’s forward half. There is no doubt the Melbourne Heart should have gone into the break with a better score line than 1-1.

2nd half action and tempers were running hot as players remonstrated with each other after Heart’s Germano was felled within the first 2 minutes. Play was halted for several minutes as Germano received medical attention. Scoreboard replays showed very slight if any contact with Germano and play was called on. For the life of me I can’t understand why players go down as if they have been shot and carry on like they are in immense pain when most of the time the contact is incidental. I was under the impression the A-League was trying to stamp out the tactic of diving which clearly wasn’t working Sunday.

Heart attacked in waves for the first 10 minutes of the second half with Robbie Wielaert controlling the ball across the back half and setting up his forwards with constructive passing. Having the advantage of the extra man the Heart forwards continually worked the ball into the scoring zone only to see Phoenix goalie Moss repel time and again. Phoenix got a break down the right side of the pitch and worked the ball deep into the right corner. A cross into the zone was knocked down by Redmayne who had taken up a defensive position right next to the upright. Waiting to pounce on the ball was Wellington’s Tyler Boyd who with a slight fake got past the Heart defence and slotted the ball into the back of the net for their 2^nd goal. An amazing effort by Phoenix who had been under siege for most of the match at the other end of the ground. They were once again in front after 57 minutes of play and this time doing it with 10 men on the ground .Heart goalie Andrew Redmayne clears the ball from the defensive area.

3 minutes later a penalty was awarded against Phoenix captain Andrew Durante for what seemed like very light contact. Williams took the penalty kick and made no mistake to once again have the scores tied up at 2-2. Heart continued on with the waves of attacking football with shots fired from the boot of sub Kalmar, Kewell, and sub Ramsay all without result. Phoenix goalie Glenn Moss was having an excellent game in front of the net and saved plenty although the Heart at times had made it easy for Moss with wayward kicks.Wellington Phoenix's goal keeper Glenn Moss was superb in front of the net.

With 79 gone in the match Heart’s David Williams rolled into the box to put away what looked like the winning goal. Match referee Ben Williams ruled the Williams tackle as being illegal subsequently disallowing the goal. Follow up strikes by Hoffman, sub Stefan Mauk and Williams all missed the mark with the end result a 2 all drawn game.

Massimo Murdocca was awarded Heart’s “man of the match” which surprised me somewhat. I’m not sure what the fans thought but to me it was a token gesture as I barely sighted Murdocca. Heart’s engine room was superb with Kewell, Williams, Germano, Hoffman and Garuccio all busy throughout the match setting up plenty of scoring opportunities. The season long fault of converting opportunity into score once again plagued the Melbourne Heart.

Heart are at home again this Sunday to take on the Mariners while Wellington returns to the mainland to take on the Jets. For further details go to http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/

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