Goals from Stella Rigon, Adriana Jones, and Monica were not enough to secure the win for Adelaide United, as Melbourne Victory came from behind three times to play out a 3-3 draw at Coopers Stadium.
The six-goal thriller between Adelaide United Women and Melbourne Victory Women exceeded all expectations, as Captain Stella Rigon opened the scoring, with both Adriana Jones and Monica awarded goals. Although Victory’s Natasha Dowie and Selin Kuralay had answered back to every goal with their own, in what was a tantalising contest.
The Reds started the match off the architects of chances on goal, Kathleen Naughton almost opening the scoring on seven minutes with a wonderfully connected header that just send wide. Adelaide United did not have to wait long to break the deadlock, as Rigon prospered upon the opportunity to take the free kick that Jones was awarded. On the 11th minute, Rigon’s left-footed strike found the back of the net after taking a deflection.
Two minutes later, immense pressure from Victory created an equaliser through Dowie. Dowie dispossessed United keeper, Sarah Willacy, who was found wanting when her attempted clearance was pounced on and bundled into an empty net. On the 19th minute, an expert through ball by Danielle Colaprico found Sofia Huerta to then assist Jones who thumped the ball into goal, just inside the six-yard box.
Melbourne Victory had plenty of the ball, but it was Adelaide United who shined through their quick counter-attacks and created chances, especially with through balls and long passes to the powerhouse front three of Colaprico, Huerta, and Jones.
The fiery contest and goals continued into the second half, as Rachel Alonso swung in a cross for Dowie, and her promising header just swiped the upright. On the hour mark, Dowie connected with a header, this time successfully to find the equaliser once again, beating a hapless Willacy.
Monica answered back to the equaliser in the 73rd minute, a header of her own due to a great Emily Hodgson’s free kick. After dangerous chances by both sides, it was Kuralay with a stunning strike from 25 yards to beat Willacy.
The 90th minute saw Huerta with a chance, but was unable to win the match for her team, after an impressive performance. But it was no different for the Victory, also unlucky not to leave Adelaide on a high.
