Melbourne City and Macarthur FC played to a 1-1 draw in the A-League Men at AAMI Park on March 3, 2024. A stunning free kick from Socceroo defender Aziz Behich initially put City in the lead, but Rafael Duran equalised for the Bulls, denying the home side a crucial victory.
City, eager to bounce back from a recent derby defeat against Melbourne Victory, started the match with a promising energy. Behich electrified the crowd of 4,304 fans in the 25th minute with a perfectly executed left-footed free kick that arched over the Macarthur wall and into the net, putting the hosts ahead early in the game.
Despite the setback, Macarthur, who had made five changes to their lineup after their match against Brisbane on Friday, regrouped. Their challenges increased when striker Dong-Won Ji sustained a suspected left ankle injury shortly after Behich’s goal. However, the Bulls found their rhythm and equalised ten minutes before halftime.
A defensive miscue from City allowed Harry Politidis to slide a pass back to Duran, who made no mistake in finishing the chance. This goal not only brought the visitors back into the match but also shifted the momentum in their favour as they entered the second half.
In the 53rd minute, Macarthur’s substitute Harrison Sawyer attempted to capitalize on their newfound momentum, heading wide. He followed this with a powerful shot that forced a strong save from City goalkeeper Patrick Beach in the 55th minute, keeping the score level.
As the match progressed, City intensified their efforts to reclaim the lead. They created several opportunities through players like Nathaniel Atkinson, Andreas Kuen, and Andrew Nabbout. Despite their aggressive push, they were unable to break through the resolute Macarthur defence and goalkeeper Filip Kurto.
In a tense finish, Nabbout believed he had scored the winning goal late in the match, following up on a saved attempt from Behich. However, his effort was ruled out by an assistant referee’s flag for offside, sealing the draw.
The result saw Melbourne City rise to fourth place in the league, while Macarthur climbed to seventh. The two teams will look to build on this performance in their upcoming fixtures, with City hoping to secure a more decisive victory in their next match.
