Both teams came out determined to take an early lead, which led to a high octane and end-to-end first half at AAMI Park.

Despite chances for both sides, with Griffiths and Wales going closest for City, Troisi and Antonis for Victory, the match was goalless at halftime.

But it was the champions who made the first inroads on the score line as Swedish striker Ola Toivonen ghosted in unmarked at the back post to simply tap-in Kosta Barbarouses’ cross.

Kevin Muscat’s side looked like heading for yet another win but City found a way to snatch a point as Scott Jamieson’s cross picked out Dario Vidosic at the death for a share of the points at 1 – 1.

Melbourne City

Eugene Galekovic – 7

Made a crucial stop to deny James Troisi in the first half from close range. Nothing he could do to stop a simple finish for Toivonen.

Ritchie De Laet – 6

Just like the round one derby, the Belgian was the key outlet for City early on and threatened with his pace and crossing ability. However, his influence slowly faded away and he was subbed off after 64 minutes.

Harrison Delbridge – 6

Looked really solid up until the goal by Ola Toivonen, where he should have taken more control of the situation by marking his direct opponent instead of leaving it to Scott Jamieson.

Bart Schenkeveld – 7

The Dutchman has become one of Warren Joyce’s most important players and in the opening 45 he didn’t lose a single key duel. Remained solid in the second half to keep Toivonen and Barbarouses quiet despite their link up for the opener.

Scott Jamieson – 7

De Laet was key for City in the first half but Jamieson began to grow in an attacking sense as the game wore on. Unfortunately it was a miscommunication between Delbridge that led to Toivonen swooping in to open the scoring at the back post.

Rostyn Griffiths – 6.5

On his first start for City, the veteran could have announced himself to the Melburnians in style with a long range strike, but it was brilliantly tipped over by Lawrence Thomas. Kept things nice and compact in the middle and was a smart move by Joyce to bring him in.

Kearyn Baccus – 7

Usually is key to City because of his work in possession but in the early stages he was key to stopping Victory getting on top. Did really well in the second period to keep going and work City back into the game after they went behind.

Luke Brattan – 6.5

Was the heartbeat of the City attack in the first half, showcasing his quality passing range as well as smart combos in tight areas with the likes of Riley McGree and Lachie Wales. It was a bit of a surprise to see him taken off with fifteen minutes to go but he might have been fatiguing from a tireless shift.

Riley McGree – 7

A solid performance by the youngster, who nullified the threat of Corey Brown down the left but showed some nice touches in the final third. Has to be credited for a nice burst through the middle that opened up things for the City equaliser.

Dario Vidosic – 7

Did his job from a defensive point of view in the first period as he stopped Strom Roux from making an impact. But his most important contribution came right at the death to rescue a point for City as he swooped in at the back-post to snatch a point.

Lachlan Wales – 6

Showed fantastic work rate off the ball in the first half, constantly drifting down the channels and coming short to drag Thomas Deng and Nick Ansell into dangerous areas. Really should have done better after he was in one-on-one with Thomas but a heavy touch let him down.

Subs:

Michael O’Halloran – 5.5

Slotted straight in for Wales after coming on and his pace kept Deng and Ansell on their toes despite not having a major impact.

Nathaniel Atkinson – 6.5

The Tasmanian gave Joyce the spark that he needed off the bench with a terrific cameo that produced energy and pace down the right.

Ramy Najjarine – 6

The young Socceroo did really well off the bench against the Reds last week and he continued where he left off with another solid fifteen minutes.

Melbourne Victory

Lawrence Thomas – 7

Looked shaky just a minute in when he clumsily parried Vidosic’s tame effort. Also took a risk to come out and sweep the ball from Wales but his clearance was half-hearted. Despite that shaky start the custodian made a massive stop to deny Griffiths’s long range effort just before halftime. Did really well to take command his area from set-pieces in the second half.

Storm Roux – 6

Without Honda he didn’t have the same attacking impact that he has had this season so far, but kept Vidosic quiet throughout and has continued to impress during his comeback from lengthy injury spells in the past.

Thomas Deng – 6

Was a bit clumsy in possession in the first half with a couple of wayward passes and sloppy touches. It was a solid performance overall by Deng but you can understand why he wasn’t included in Arnold’s Asian Cup squad based off tonight.

Nick Ansell – 6

Got his head onto a couple of dangerous De Laet crosses in the first half but was dragged all over the place by Wales too. Did well to keep things tight when Victory were protecting a lead but lost Vidosic at the back post for City’s equaliser.

Corey Brown – 6

A similar performance to his opposite fullback in Roux, as the former Brisbane man struggled to have a massive attacking influence but also nullified McGree quite well the other way.

Carl Valeri – 6

Struggled to help Victory maintain possession for long periods throughout the game due to the high pressing intensity from City. However, once his team took the lead he led from the front to make sure they maintained a solid shape that was difficult to break down.

Leigh Broxham – 6.5

Although many Victory fans would have preferred to see Honda, Broxham was able to offer something for Kevin Muscat going both ways, with his defensive work rate particularly prevalent in the early stages.

Terry Antonis – 6

Put a bit too much back lift on a strike 10 minutes in to give Victory an early lead. Once again another player who probably missed Honda’s influence tonight as his performance wasn’t what we have come to expect this season.

James Troisi – 7

Looked determined to prove Graham Arnold wrong over his Asian Cup snub early on, finding a lot of space in between the lines and threatening to unlock City’s defence. Should have opened the scoring when he was one-on-one with Galekovic but his finish was poor.

Kosta Barbarouses – 6

It seemed as if the Kiwi was seriously missing his Japanese team mate in the opening period as he was unable to benefit from any service in behind the City back four. The first time that he was able to get in behind led to the opening goal, where he whipped in a peach of a cross to the back post for Toivonen to tap-in.

Ola Toivonen – 6.5

Seemed a bit off the pace at the start of the match, failing to make simple passes to his team mates and have an influence on the game. Started the second half strongly but didn’t have to do too much to simply tap in Barbarouses’ back-post cross just before the hour mark.

Subs:

Josh Hope – N/A

Came on too late to get a rating.