Victory, who play the majority of their games at Etihad Stadium and AAMI Park, were due to host the visitors from New South Wales at Simonds Stadium.
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The oval venue, home of AFL powerhouse Geelong, has staged the beautiful game before, including a famous friendly win for Victory over Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in July 2016.
But it seems the rare appearance of a round-ball fixture in the traditional Aussie rules hotbed caused some confusion among the workers charged with preparing the playing surface, although it was nothing a hasty readjustment could not solve.
The ground staff eventually not the markings sorted and Melbourne Victory secured a 4-2 win.
There were no penalties in the game, with two goals in open play either side of half-time seeing the hosts to a victory that cements their standing in second place.
