ICC Melbourne Victory v Juventus

On a bitterly cold Melbourne evening the MCG played host to the first of three International Champions Cup games.

Just 23,174 people attended the opener between Melbourne Victory and Juventus.

The exorbitant ticket prices combined with a competition which is nothing more than a weak pre season jaunt filled with mainly second team players and youth player, Juventus last week named a travelling party minus 13 of it’s stars.

The game like the weather was a cold and dull affair. The first half only really offered two moments of mention Daniele Rugani hit the post and Besart Berisha forced Juventus keeper Neto into a fine save.

The second saw more resolve from the travelling party and the pace pick up a little. One moment of brilliance from Carlos Blanco, a stunning long-range strike, from just about the half way line looked like it might be enough to win the game, but in the 83rd minute Jai Ingham put away the equalizer after a wonderful team move which sent the match into a shootout.

Melbourne Victory won the shootout 4-3 with 16year old Sebastian Pasquali netting the winner after Victory keeper Thomas made two saves.

My enjoyment came through watching Argentine gun Paulo Dybala who was class , 16 year old Sebastian Pasquali and Victory, debutant Mitch Austin.

Here’s hoeing for a better and bigger turn out for Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.