A deflected shot in the 73rd minute proved decisive as Brisbane Roar edged out Melbourne Victory 1-0 on Friday night.
SUMMARY
Tony Popovic opted for a change in formation as he looked to arrest his side’s recent form slump, with the returning Roderick Miranda taking up one of three centre-back spots whilst captain Josh Brillante was moved to the unfamiliar right wing-back position.
The changed shape afforded Victory plenty of possession early in the contest, allowing them to build slowly into the match against an in-form Brisbane.
Chances though remained few and far between for both teams in the opening half an hour.
Victory’s best passage of the half came from a series of excellent one-touch passes between Jake Brimmer and Rai Marchan, however the final ball to release Nani into the box was overhit and the chance fizzled out.
Brimmer was at the centre of every Victory attacking move, with his headed chance and long-range strike coming as close as any Victory attempt early in the contest.
The first half ended without major incident and everything to play for in the second 45.
Nani almost gave Victory the lead in the 54th minute, when a daring run by Ben Folami created the space for the Portuguese legend to fire a powerful shot, but Jordan Holmes in the Brisbane goal dealt comfortably with the attempt.
The game remained tight but was becoming increasingly stretched as the second half progressed.
Popovic turned to his bench after an hour played, bringing on Bruno Fornaroli, Nishan Velupillay and Will Wilson in a triple substitution.
The changes almost paid immediate dividends when Brillante’s cross from the right side found the head of Fornaroli, but the striker was unable to direct his effort on target.
Victory had generated the majority of chances in the second half, but it was the visitors that landed the first significant blow thanks in large part to a fortuitous deflection.
Jay O’Shea’s storming run into the area eventually led to a shot on goal which was looped into the air and over goalkeeper Matt Acton by a deflection off Roderick’s leg.
A devastating blow for Victory after a strong second half performance.
Popovic exhausted his substitutions in search of an equaliser, but the Roar’s well organised defence proved too difficult to break down.
Brisbane saw out the remaining minutes to secure a 1-0 win.
IMPLICATIONS
A third straight defeat means Victory remain second-bottom of the table after ten games played.
RESULT
Isuzu UTE A-League 2022/23 Round 11
Melbourne Victory 0
Brisbane Roar 1 (O’Shea 73′)
NEXT UP
Victory hit the road for the first time in 2023 next Saturday 14th January when they travel to Coopers Stadium to take on Adelaide United. Kick-off at 7:45pm AEDT.
