Jake Brimmer scored a dramatic late brace as Melbourne Victory recorded a 2-1 win over Perth Glory in the A-League on Tuesday.
Summary
Victory had numerous opportunities at AAMI Park, but Bruno Fornaroli’s 62nd-minute header looked set to be the winner for Perth.
But there was late drama as Brimmer delivered a brace to lift Victory to its first win of the season.
Brimmer headed in the equaliser before converting a 90th-minute penalty.
Victory applied some major pressure in the opening 15 minutes as Marco Rojas was denied by a last-ditch challenge after a mazy run into the area before Robbie Kruse – making his first A-League start since January last year – almost picked out Brandon Lauton from the left.
Rojas and Kruse drew saves from Tando Velaphi before the latter’s backheel set up Lauton, who curled wide from inside the area midway through the first half.
Victory continued to enjoy the better moments and Brimmer forced a good stop from Velaphi at his near post after a pass from Jacob Butterfield.
At the other end, Max Crocombe made a good save down low to his left to deny Fornaroli as the entertaining contest continued.
It was Velaphi who denied Victory again in the 34th minute, Kruse’s superb first-time effort from Adama Traore’s pass well saved by the goalkeeper.
Victory continued to push to begin the second half, Butterfield’s 25-yard effort forcing a good one-handed save from Velaphi.
Crocombe made a decent stop from Carlo Armiento and Brimmer was unable to make the most of a one-on-one after another Butterfield pass as the chances continued to come.
But Perth found the opener in the 62nd minute, Fornaroli heading in an Armiento cross at the back post.
Another opportunity went beginning for Victory six minutes later, Kruse shooting across the face of goal.
Victory equalised with four minutes remaining as Brimmer headed in a Traore cross, and a winner followed.
A corner was handled in the area and Brimmer stepped up to send Velaphi the wrong way for the match-winner.
Player in focus
Key moment
What they said – Brimmer
on the win…
“Unbelievable. The atmosphere is unbelievable. It’s good to get a win. It just shows you, you never stop fighting and got the result that we wanted. It’s good for the fans.”
on the turnaround…
“Never a doubt. You can see with the quality of players that we have that anything can happen. Just dug in deep and got the three points, that’s all that matters.”
Result
Hyundai A-League 2020/21
Melbourne Victory 2 (Jake Brimmer 86’/90′ pen)
Perth Glory 1 (Bruno Fornaroli 62′)
Melbourne Victory: Crocombe (gk); Roux, Shotton, Ryan, Traore; Broxham (c) (Kirdar 78′), Butterfield; Lauton (Kamsoba 45′), Brimmer, Rojas (Barnett 90+4′); Kruse (Lawrie-Lattanzio 79′).
Perth Glory: Velaphi (gk); Sullivan (Rawlins 64′), Lachman, Warland, Ingham; Wilson (Timmins 73′), Kilkenny (c), Armiento; D’Agostino (Stynes 64′), Fornaroli, Keogh (Bafford 79′).
Yellow cards: Armiento 32′, Shotton 45′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: AAMI Park
Next up
Victory is back at AAMI Park on Saturday when it takes on Western United.
