Kevin Muscat was honoured with a testimonial match at AAMI Park tonight with the Melbourne Victory defeating the Come Play XI 4-0. First-half goals from Tom Pondeljak and Adrian Leijer and a second by Pondeljak plus a Semir Sivic penalty in the second term ensured that the Victory skipper would enjoy his night in Melbourne's newest sporting arena.
Kevin Muscat Testimonial MatchMelbourne Victory: 4 (Tom Pondeljak 9', 56', Adrian Leijer 27', Semir Sivic (p) 86') Come Play XI: 0 Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
About 6,000 fans turned out as the event started with a guard of honour for the man in question which had Muscat's former Socceroos teammates Tony Popovic, Craig Moore, Zeljko Kalac, Steve Corica and Stan Lazaridis and the Melbourne Victory players involved.
A highlight reel of Muscat's career followed on the big screen and then the first football match at the brand new, state of the art AAMI Park was under way with the Come Play XI looking smart in their bright white shirts and emerald green shorts and the Victory in their customary navy blue.
It took just under ten minutes for the first goal to come and it was a familiar duo who combined with Carlos Hernandez playing in a pinpoint ball to the back post for Tom Pondeljak who finished neatly past Liverpool youngster Dean Bouzanis in goal for the Come Play XI.
The youngsters in the Come Play XI were feeling their way around the game and it took just over 25 minutes for their first shot, which came through the National Youth League's top scorer Francesco Monterosso of Adelaide United.
Victory's second goal came soon after when Evan Berger sent a ball in from the left flank which was met by a sliding Adrian Leijer whose right foot sent it into the top corner, asserting more of the Victory's authority on the contest.
Muscat had a slight chance to get on the scoresheet just prior to half-time but his scuffed left-foot shot from the edge of the area was cleared to safety and soon after the first 45 minutes were over.
Minutes after the re-start, Muscat had another crack from outside the area after a corner was sent his way but the speculative volley was way wide of the mark. At least the man of the moment was showing his intent in the forward third.
In the 56th minute, the Victory went three up when Leigh Broxham won the ball in midfield, supplied Pondeljak with a neat pass and the veteran midfielder finished with the outside of his boot past Mark Birighitti who had replaced Bouzanis at half-time.
Just after the hour-mark, the Victory fans said goodbye to young goalkeeper Mitch Langerak who is off to Germany to take up a contract with Borussia Dortmund as he made way for Sebastian Mattei. It was clear what it meant to Langerak who shared a hug with Muscat and his other teammates as he departed the pitch in Victory colours for the last time.
The match also served as a farewell for Victory youngster Semir Sivic who decided to retire from the professional game following a serious leg injury and he came on late in the piece for Mate Dugandzic.
Both sides ended up with a completely different looking side to what they started with as both coaches used all of their subs but it was one of the starters, Berger, who won the penalty in the 85th minute.
It was set for a fairytale for Muscat who stepped up to the spot but proceeded to knock it to Sivic who put it past the keeper to give him a great send off.
Straight after the goal, Muscat was substituted and made way to a rapturous applause as the final few minutes were played out before the celebrations begun.