On Saturday, Melbourne City were looking to avoid their fourth consecutive loss, which would have been their worst streak of performances in 11 years. Thankfully for Aurelio Vidmar's side, the performance of up-and-coming prospect Lawrence Wong kept them out of the record books while the youngster simultaneously set a new record as the club's youngest-ever goalscorer at 17 years old and 132 days. Now entering the back half of the season, City's injury crisis looks like it is slowly becoming a thing of the past. With their youthful replacements gaining much-needed experience, Vidmar's team could perfectly be timing their run towards the Finals Series.
Lawrence Wong celebrates scoring a stunning goal for Melbourne City against Perth Glory. (Image: Luke Radziminski)
Melbourne City fans were beginning to worry after their team had lost their last three games while also being scoreless since the 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar on the 11th of January. The honeymoon period provided by the initial injection of the club's youth academy injury replacements looked like it was starting to wane.
But thankfully, Melbourne City finally received some much-needed reinforcements with the return of Marco Tilio in recent weeks, who, against Perth Glory, made his first start since he suffered a hamstring injury on the 4th of November; fellow Socceroo Mathew Leckie also looks to be returning to full fitness, helping to bring some physicality to the midfield.
Despite these returns, 17-year-old Lawrence Wong ran the show against the Glory and created the most clear-cut chances. He topped off his performance with an amazing goal from outside the box, curling the ball into the top right corner to easily beat Perth goalkeeper Oli Sail. Besides Wong's performance, Melbourne City played a pretty sloppy game, with sufficient end product missing from many of its attackers outside the goal scorer.
With ten games to play, Melbourne City have time to iron out some of the kinks and build up team chemistry once again as their plethora of injured players slowly return. Post-game, head coach Aurelio Vidmar signalled that Kai Trewin and Andreas Kuen would be available this week for the important Melbourne Derby, which could have important ramifications for a spot in the Finals Series as Melbourne Victory and City currently sit third and fourth on the table respectively.
Kuen has arguably been Melbourne City's best player this season, scoring two goals and adding five assists in just eight matches. Hence, he is a critical returnee for the club as they progress to the season's pointy end.
Still, with the emergence of Wong into the first team, Vidmar may have a tough decision to make as to who should get the nod in this week's derby. Wong would rightfully feel pretty hard done if he were to be dropped so that Kuen could return to the starting line-up. But Vidmar may think the Austrian's experience is more critical in such a decisive fixture. But, pardon the cliche, these are good problems to have.
Over the last couple of weeks, 19-year-old Max Caputo has also returned to the starting line-up after suffering a broken ankle in pre-season training; Vidmar felt that on Saturday, the striker's performance was not quite up to the necessary standard but alluded to the fact that that was to be expected after such a long absence.
Max Caputo in action for Melbourne City last season. The young striker only made his second appearance of the 2024/25 campaign on Saturday. (Image: Harley Appezzato)
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"He was a little bit down today, Maxy. But it's pretty normal after the euphoria of five or so months out, playing last week, a big game, and all excited and everything like that. Then it's common to have a little bit of a downer," Vidmar explained.
"It was not his top game, but he still caused moments and was unlucky that he was a fraction offside for the goal (disallowed in the 40th minute). So he's going to be a real valuable player for us for the remainder of the season."
Although all Melbourne Derby games are considered must-wins, the one this weekend is especially so, as gaining the three points would put Melbourne City ahead of their cross-town rivals on the ladder. Melbourne Victory has been inconsistent in recent weeks, and City hopes to take advantage of that fact.
Vidmar's side will aim to put on a positive performance - that earns a win - that the team could use as a base to build off as we approach the season's latter stages.
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