League

Hong Kou
Spectators: 7967 (Terracing: 5977, Seating: 1832, VIP seats: 158) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Rashad Starks took the kick off in the first half of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Warren Boles in the 5th minute of play forced shenhua's goalkeeper Wilford Mott to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Warren Boles in the 6th minute of play forced shenhua's goalkeeper Wilford Mott to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When Rodney Salas came up free with the goalie in the 8th minute, the Melbourne fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Rodney Salas couldn't finish the play. In the 9th minute, Warren Boles left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Melbourne fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-1. Warren Boles fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wilford Mott having to interfere. In the 21st match minute, shenhua was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Neal Berger to maneuver through the defense. A collision led to shenhua getting a freekick after 23 minutes play. Neal Berger hit a great ball. Wilford Mott took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rodney Salas, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Warren Boles had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 26th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Wilford MacDowell fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 31st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Wilford Mott having to interfere. Warren Boles recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 33rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. A collision led to Melbourne getting a freekick after 36 minutes play. Sal Walter hit a great ball. Rory Ortega hit a great freekick 38 minutes into the match. Wilford Mott showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Warren Boles in the 40th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Warren Boles in the 41st minute of play forced shenhua's goalkeeper Wilford Mott to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Rodney Salas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 42nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Warren Boles received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 52nd minute. Wilford Mott tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Melbourne's Warren Boles got a good chance for a goal in the 53rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The supporters of shenhua booed when Melbourne was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 54 match minutes in a wonderful position. Wilford MacDowell didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Wilford MacDowell had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Wilford Mott showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Warren Boles in the 60th minute of the match. Wilford MacDowell hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. After a defensive mix-up in shenhua's zone, Rodney Salas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Wilford Mott came out of the goal and Rodney Salas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 70th minute, Warren Boles managed to get in a good position for a shot. Melbourne's supporters rose to their feet, but Warren Boles was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Wilford Mott breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Merrill Washington kicked well hit freekick during the 71st minute of the match. In the 72nd minute, Warren Boles got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Warren Boles struck a weak shot in the 84th minute. Wilford Mott didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Melbourne. Wilford Mott took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Warren Boles, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of Melbourne booed when shenhua was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Mason Brandon didn't get a good kick on the ball. Wilford Mott took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Warren Boles, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Warren Boles received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 93rd minute. Wilford Mott tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Melbourne's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.