A stoppage-time header from Besart Berisha has seen Melbourne Victory comeback from three goals down to snatch a 3-3 draw with Central Coast Mariners in a Hyundai A-League classic on Friday night.
In a remarkable game at Simonds Stadium, the Mariners appeared to be cruising to a comfortable win as goals to Harry Ascroft, Josh Bingham and Mitch Austin inside 35 minutes had them 3-0 up at the break.
But the champions hit back in the second half, reducing the deficit to one with 24 minutes left via Besart Berisha’s penalty and another to Archie Thompson.
Just when it looked like the Mariners would hold on under enormous pressure, Berisha had the final say with a strong header to complete a stunning fightback by the champions.
GOALS
1-0 Ascroft (12’) – Mitch Austin played over an in-swinging corner from the right, with Ascroft rising above Rashid Mahazi and planting a header past Danny Vukovic from six yards out.
2-0 Bingham (30’) – A sloppy turnover in their own half allowed Michael Neill to pick up possession and his reverse pass picked out the run of Bingham who hit a clinical first-time shot across Vukovic into the far corner of the net.
3-0 Austin (35’) – Victory was caught out by a stunning counter attack which ended with Bingham sending Austin through one-on-one and the winger finished superbly past a stranded Vukovic.
3-1 Berisha (60’) – A clumsy challenge on Barbarouses in the box by Ascroft handed Victory a penalty which the Albanian buried in the left corner.
3-2 Thompson (66’) – Barbarouses surged into the box, flicked the ball over Jacob Poscoliero before smashing a shot onto the crossbar but Thompson was on hand to slam home the rebound from about 10 metres out.
3-3 Berisha (90+2’) – A long, hopeful ball into the box was headed across goal by Barbarouses, with Berisha on hand to divert it past Heward-Belle to snatch a point.
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