Al Jazira overcome Melbourne City FC in Abu Dhabi

Sport360 staff 16:01 12/01/2015
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  • With the Asian Cup currently being played in Australia, Melbourne City FC are undertaking extra training in Abu Dhabi.

    With the Asian Cup currently being played in Australia, Melbourne City FC made the most of their A-League break and descended on the UAE capital.

     Melbourne City FC UAE training camp in A-League break
     On The Radar, Jan 12-19: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Dubai World Cup

    However within two minutes of their friendly game against Al Jazira, they could have easily been one-nil down as Melbourne City’s captain, former Leicester and Leeds player, Patrick Kisnorbo brought down Manuel Lenzini inside the home side’s box.

    Melbourne City FC’s blushes were spared however as Redmayne saved from Vucinic.  

    English Premier League veteran Damian Duff should have scored when a cut back from Mate Dugandzic fell invitingly to the Irishman 10 yards out, only to squander the chance on his right foot.

    Former Hull City player, Robert Koren, then tried his luck from distance, this time, the ball fizzing over the right post. 

    As Melbourne City continued to push, the home fans began to make their presence known and it wasn’t long before Al Jazira grew into the game. Star players such as Sulatan Al Shamsi and Manuel Lanzini both made good weaving runs threatening to open up Melbourne City FC’s rearguard but a final touch was always missing.

    With Al Jazira looking sharper, Melbourne City struggled to contain Lanzini and James Brown was booked for blocking the Argentine earning a yellow card in the process. 

    Both teams had chances just before the break. First Hassan Ameed found himself clean through but Redmayne managed to get a hand to the ball sending it behind, before Ameed was booked for diving. Moments later, Aaron Mooy, at the other end of the pitch came close, but found his effort hitting the post, although it had been deflected off his arm. 

    The breakthrough eventually came on 58 minutes as again Lanzini troubled Melbourne City’s midfield. The ball eventually falling to Da Silva who placed a perfect cross behind the Melbourne City defense, and Mirko Vucinic superbly controlled with outstanding balance before tucking away into the far corner.

    The home side then went two-nil up as Matar collided with Redmayne and the ball ricocheted into the Melbourne net. Celebrations were mooted as both Matar and Redmayne lay on the floor dazed from the collision.

    Melbourne City’s spirits were not to be deterred however and Robert Koren found himself in space, and with a clean shot, Al Seinani saved well to his low right as Melbourne City tried to find a way back into the game.

    Aaron Mooy had a couple of long distance efforts in the closing stages, the first saved easily by Al Seinani, the second, a free kick, which hit the wall.

    Melbourne City though pushed on and almost pulled one back when Paulo Retre headed towards goal after nice build up play but once again, they failed to find the back of the net.

    There would be time for just one more attempt at goal and it was Vucinic again, this time an attempted lob from close to the half way line but there was no troubling the goalkeeper with a wide effort.

    As the final whistle went, Al Jazira fans celebrated in typical fashion pleased to see their table topping side play well against a Melbourne side full of experience.

    For Melbourne, a tough game but a well fought friendly against sharp opposition.

    Add further, for the likes of Robert Koren playing 90 minutes for the first time after 6 months out injured, there were positives to take. There is no doubt, visiting Abu Dhabi will be good experience for Melbourne City when the A-League gets going again.

    Melbourne City FC will next face Ukrainian side FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, behind closed doors on the 18 Jan.

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