The battle of Melbourne: Victory advance as Izzo breaks City hearts

Melbourne Victory 1-1 Melbourne City (Victory advance 3-2 on penalties)

Melbourne Victory rode four penalty saves from keeper Paul Izzo and some timely substitutes from coach Tony Popovic to win a thrilling A-League Men’s elimination final over Melbourne City on Sunday night.

Despite losing star import Zinedine Machach to a red card late in the first half, the Victory kept their poise and then used the run of their second half substitutes to set up an equaliser in the 87th minute from Nishan Velupillay to force extra time.

Paul Izzo was the hero for Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.

With the sides still locked together at 1-1 after 120 minutes, Izzo saved three City penalties from five attempts, and then converted one of his own to put his club into a semi-final against Wellington Phoenix in Wellington next Saturday.

Izzo, who also saved a penalty in the first half, was hoisted onto the shoulders of captain Roderick Miranda after his last penalty save ended the shootout 3-2.

“He was our hero,” Miranda told Channel 10 post-match.

The Victory had plenty of the ball in the opening stages but City were a constant threat on the counter-attack.

Victory skipper Roderick Miranda celebrates a clutch penalty.

Izzo kept his side in the match before half-time, saving Leo Natel’s strike that was headed for the top corner and then battering away Tolgay Arslan’s penalty in the 19th minute, correctly moving low to his right for his third penalty save this season.

But if that moment was a warning, it was ignored as City took the lead on 29 minutes as defender Samuel Souprayen headed over Izzo after a corner that was flicked into his path by Natel.

Victory’s hopes looked dashed when star attacker Zinedine Machach lost his cool at Natel and appeared to fling his foot at the import winger. That act led to referee Alex King giving him a straight red card.

But City failed to find their second goal and it cost them dearly as Victory coach Tony Popovic once again showcased his big-game experience, throwing substitutes Velupillay and Kasey Bos – who brought speed and dare – to the chase for a goal.

Leigh Broxham goes head-to-head with Leo Natel. Broxham’s Victory career will continue for at least another week.

It took until the 87th minute but it was Velupillay, the Australian under-23 international, who smashed home a cutback pass from Bos to send AAMI Park into raptures and force injury time.

Izzo denied Natel late in extra-time and with just minutes left in the second half of extra-time City defender Curtis Good took a professional foul to bring down Velupillay after he bared down on goal.

The sides were into a penalty shootout and after Izzo made two saves, Victory games record holder Leigh Broxham missed his chance to win the shootout as City’s Jamie Young saved his penalty at 3-1 ahead.

But Izzo saved his blushes with his final save. The Victory’s season will go on for one more week and they won’t go down easy against the Phoenix.

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