Melbourne Victory players celebrate Marco Rojas's goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
If last week was a statement win, last night's was affirmation that Melbourne Victory is a serious contender this season.
Marco Rojas' sensational curling strike secured Victory its fifth win in seven weeks and within three points of league leaders Adelaide United.
But it was the manner in which Victory won that highlighted the extraordinary progress the side has made since its disastrous opening fortnight to the season.
The last time Victory missed Mark Milligan and Archie Thompson it got spanked by five in Brisbane.
Granted Rojas was also absent on that occasion but the Victory side looks unrecognizable from that evening at Suncorp Stadium in round 2.
Rojas, Gui Finkler, Adama Traore, Marcos Flores and Billy Celeski have made solid contributions this season but it was a few of the fringe boys who stood tall at AAMI Park with the Socceroos boys absent.
Returning after being dropped last week, Petar Franjic came out of his shell to produce a solid, physical presence at the back.
And Jonathan Bru had his best game in Victory colours - the hitherto pedestrian Mauritian showed some grunt in the all important role of deputising for Milligan, highlighted by his 21st minute yellow for planting his studs on McGarry.
Captain Adrian Leijer assumed greater organisational responsibility in Milligan's absence and he was vocal, physical and ensured Victory's defence kept a high line.
Glory had its chances to snatch at least a draw, also feeling the absence of Socceroos pair Scott Jamieson and Michael Thwaite, but all in all Victory was the superior side.
Named on the teamsheet, Liam Miller (hamstring) was a late withdrawal with former Melbourne Heart winger Adrian Zahra coming in.
With Miller and Jacob Burns (suspended) absent, Steve McGarry and Nick Ward were deployed as holding midfielders and the latter - a former Victory player - was busy.
He almost put the visitors ahead on 15 minutes but his header went narrowly wide after Nathan Coe was caught in no-man's land from McGarry's cross.
Perth tried to intimidate the young Victory side but the likes of Andrew Nabbout, Rojas and Franjic didn't shirk a challenge.
While most of Perth's threats came from set pieces in the opening stanza Victory began to unlock Glory*s defence with some deft combinations.
One of which saw Rojas, clearly buzzing with confidence, try an audacious lob over Danny Vukovic from well inside his area with the ball on the deck and the Glory keeper barely off his line - it graised the crossbar.
Nabbout and Rojas switched flanks after half time and it paid dividends, with the Kiwi scoring 13 minutes after the restart.
Glory then worked its way back into the contest, its best chances coming via crosses to Smeltz.
Leijer did well to put him off the first, when the Kiwi sharpshooter looked certain to head home.
The second came on 75 minutes when Smeltz headed Joshua Risdon's cross low forcing a brilliant reflex save from Nathan Coe.
And the Victory keeper ensured Glory didn't pinch a precious two points, blocking substitute Chris Harold's 90th minute strike.
No comments:
Post a Comment