Melbourne Victory made it back-to-back wins to begin the Isuzu UTE A-League season, beating Brisbane Roar 3-0 on Sunday.
Summary
Victory produced an impressive performance at AAMI Park, starting a campaign with two straight wins for the first time since 2006/07.
A Kai Trewin own goal put Victory ahead before Nick D’Agostino’s strike, and Ben Folami sealed the win in the second half.
Victory made a bright start in excellent conditions and in front of a rapturous home crowd.
Josh Brillante, the Victory captain making his Club debut, headed a Jason Davidson set-piece wide in the fifth minute before the left-back also fired over from long range.
Jake Brimmer had an effort deflected just wide in the 27th minute, but the corner would lead to the opener.
The midfielder’s delivery was aimed at Brendan Hamill, only for Trewin to head past his own goalkeeper, Macklin Freke.
Just four minutes later and it was 2-0 thanks to D’Agostino’s first goal in Victory colours.
Brillante won possession high up the pitch and played in Marco Rojas, who squared for D’Agostino to tap in and double Victory’s lead.
D’Agostino’s strike saw Victory become the first Club in A-League Men history to score 700 goals in the competition.
A minute into the second half and Hamill headed another Brimmer set-piece over the crossbar as Victory made a strong start after the break.
Victory was fortunate to retain a two-goal lead in the 48th minute, Luke Ivanovic rounding goalkeeper Ivan Kelava before hitting the post.
And Victory made it 3-0 moments later, Folami heading a superb Rojas cross into the top corner.
Kelava was forced into a good save, tipping a Nicholas Olsen header over his crossbar in the 73rd minute, as Victory saw out a strong win.
Key moment
What they said – D’Agostino
on the win…
“Unreal. It’s been a long time obviously since the people of Melbourne have had some joy to go home to, and hopefully we’ve given them that today. It’s been a long two years and it’s good to come here and get three points and a clean sheet.”
on scoring…
“It’s always a good feeling. Obviously I love Brisbane, it’s still my home, my family lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland has always got a special place in my heart, but I play for Melbourne and I’d die for Melbourne. This is my club and I want to score as many goals as possible.”
Player in focus
Rojas was making his first competitive start since February and the New Zealander looked in good form. The attacker set up goals for D’Agostino and Folami with clinical final passes before making way just after the hour-mark.
Implications
For just the second time in Club history, Victory claimed wins in the first two games of the A-League Men season, matching the feat managed in 2006/07.
Result
Isuzu UTE A-League 2021/22 Round 2
Melbourne Victory 3 (Kai Trewin 28′ og, Nick D’Agostino 32′, Ben Folami 50′)
Brisbane Roar 0
Melbourne Victory: Kelava (gk); Geria, Hamill, Broxham, Davidson (Nigro 86′); Marchan, Brillante (c) (Kruse 68′); Rojas (Velupillay 63′), Brimmer, Folami (Brooks 86′); D’Agostino (Margiotta 67′).
Brisbane Roar: Freke (gk); Hingert, Neville, Mlinaric (Olsen 67′), Brown; O’Shea, Trewin, Steinmann (Daley 67′), Akbari (Hore 81′); Dehmie (Ivanovic 46′), Mileusnic (Lescano 74′).
Yellow cards: Brillante 15′, O’Shea 24′, Broxham 78′, Brimmer 81′, Brown 83′, Daley 90′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: 13,026
Venue: AAMI Park
Next up
Victory makes the trip to Marden Sports Complex to take on Adelaide City in the FFA Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday, before hosting Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Sunday, December 5.
