Melbourne City, currently at the top of the list, opened the scoring in 11 minutes by midfielder Aiden O’Neill. At 20 minutes into the battle, Melbourne Victory fans threw fireworks at the stadium, and Mexico City goalkeeper Tang Gaohua threw them back to the fan area. A group of fans then broke through the security line and rushed into the stadium. Among them, some fans were demonstrating in the stadium, and some attacked Tang Gaohua with an iron bucket, which eventually caused blood on his head. Tang Gaohua returned to the locker room for stitches under the escort of serving players. The club later stated on social networks that he suspected of having a concussion. In the end, the ball certificate decided to cut off the game on the grounds of ensuring the safety of the players.
The Australian media pointed out that the fans of the two teams planned to leave the game 20 minutes before the game to protest. They were dissatisfied with the announcement by the Australian Professional Games that they would sell the right to host the playoff finals for the next three years for 15 million Australian dollars (regarding 78 million Hong Kong dollars). To the New South Wales Provincial Government, replacing the past practice of using the higher-ranked team in the regular season to win the home advantage.
City goalkeeper Tom Glover is assaulted with a bin as fans invade the pitch. What happened to just walking out? #MelbDerby pic.twitter.com/zzckclmwRS— Neil Sherwin (@neilsherwin) December 17, 2022
