Melbourne Victory secured another comprehensive win away from home on Saturday night, overrunning Moreton City Excelsior to book their spot in the Australia Cup semi-finals.
The final quarterfinal tie of the 2024 Australia Cup saw Victory head north to Perry Park, hoping to return to the final four of the competition for the first time since 2021.
Head coach Patrick Kisnorbo named another strong starting XI, as he prepared his team to take on the recent Grand Finalists in Queensland’s NPL competition.
Victory did not take long to make their mark, opening the scoring in the 10th minute of play.
New striker Nikos Vergos made it two consecutive Australia Cup games in which he had scored, heading the ball into the back of the net from a free-kick.
Despite a strong response to going behind from Moreton City, the Greek striker would cause further havoc as the half continued.
His second goal came just 10 minutes after the first, finishing off some excellent build-up play from Zinedine Machach and Jordi Valadon to make it 2-0.
Vergos would then add an assist to his name, as the Victory attack pounced on a defensive error to reclaim possession high up the pitch, before Kasey Bos finished clinically just after the half-hour mark.
Bos’ first senior goal, with the visitors having well and truly stamped their authority on the contest.
Despite the comprehensive scoreline, Jack Duncan was not untroubled in the Victory goal, being called upon on a handful of occasions to protect his team’s advantage.
Half-time though soon arrived, with Victory firmly in control.
Moreton City had their best period of the match at the start of the second 45, enjoying some prolonged territory and possession control for the first time.
Nonetheless, the Victory defence, marshalled by Brendan Hamill and Roderick Miranda at its centre, repelled the host’s threat.
Victory’s sturdy defence was soon rewarded at the other end of the pitch, as a swift counter-attacking move led to their fourth goal.
Nishan Velupillay was the scorer, his fifth of the Australia Cup campaign, sealing the result.
The final 20 minutes were relatively uneventful, as Victory saw out the remainder of the game with their clean sheet intact.
Another comprehensive win away from home, as Victory march on to their fourth Australia Cup semi-final, where they will take on Adelaide United.
