Melbourne Victory Men confirmed their attendance for the upcoming Isuzu Ute A-League Finals Series thanks to a vital 2-1 win against Macarthur FC.
Falling short at AAMI Park to Auckland FC, three changes were made to the team competing in Campbelltown on ANZAC Day.
Ryan Teague and Joshua Inserra were brought back into the starting XI, while Jack Duncan returned in between the sticks to replace the injured Mitch Langerak.
Needing at least one point to secure a top-six position in the league table, Victory came out hungry and ready to pounce.
The opener came within the first few minutes in stunning fashion, thanks to Socceroo midfielder Ryan Teague.
Receiving a quick pass on the edge of the box from Zinedine Machach, Ryan Teague’s left peg directed the ball straight into the top corner – scoring his fifth goal of the season in all competitions.
Victory continued to play excellent attacking football, combining well in and around the box to create shooting opportunities.
While Jake Hollman almost scored the equaliser for the Bulls with his strike rattling the crossbar, the Navy Blues punished the home side’s inability to convert.
Daniel Arzani played through a well-weighted pass to Zinedine Machach on the byline, who cut back and floated in a deft rabona-cross into the penalty area.
Nishan Velupillay then provided a slight touch to guide the ball across to the on-rushing Kasey Bos, who unleashed a thunderbolt into the back of the net to double the lead in the 36th minute.
Zinedine Machach wasn’t far from scoring a third for the Vuck just before the half-time break, denied by a smart near-post stop by Filip Kurto.
Holding the momentum, Victory remained unchanged at the break as they sought to extend their lead.
Daniel Arzani and Nikos Vergos had two chances that came awfully close around the 50th-minute mark, denied by the post and a slight deflection.
The Bulls began to grow into the game as their Finals hopes narrowed by the minute, desperately attacking in front of their home support.
Some excellent interventions from Jack Duncan and Josh Inserra helped keep Macarthur out as the game entered the final half-hour.
Continually pushing for a response, Chris Ikonomidis finished off a counter-attacking move for the Bulls in the 68th minute to provide his new side with a much-needed lifeline.
Zinedine Machach had a chance to take Victory two goals ahead once again minutes later, but placed his effort just wide of the post.
Arthur Diles would turn to his substitutes on the 75th-minute mark, introducing Alex Badolato and Fabian Monge into the game to provide energy from the bench.
Jack Duncan would repeatedly be called into action as time progressed, notably making a remarkable point-blank stop with his forehead to keep out Harrison Sawyer’s attempt on goal.
Defenders Brendan Hamill and Josh Rawlins were brought on shortly after as Victory fought hard to deny the visitors of an equaliser, with Lachlan Jackson clearing the ball off the line as the game ticked into the final minutes.
Diles made his final substitute with the experienced Bruno Fornaroli helping see out the remainder of the game, with the Vuck claiming all three points away from home.
The result not only ensures Victory guarantees their position in the soon-to-come A-League Men’s Finals Series, but also provides a crucial boost in booking a home final.
Jumping up to third place in the league table, Victory’s final fixture of the regular season will be against the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Sunday, May 4.
Tickets are available via Ticketek.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 28
Macarthur FC 1 (Ikonomidis 68′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Teague 4′, Bos 36′)
Macarthur FC Starting XI: 12. Filip KURTO (GK), 6. Tomislav USKOK, 8. Jake HOLLMAN, 9. Chris IKONOMIDIS, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 18. Walter SCOTT, 20. Kealey ADAMSON, 23. Frans DELI, 26. Luke BRATTAN (C), 39. Kevin BOLI, 44. Marin JAKOLIS
Substitutes: 30. Alex ROBINSON (GK), 5. Matthew JURMAN (46′), 7. Daniel DE SILVA, 22. Liam ROSE (46′), 24. Dean BOSNJAK (78′), 27. Joshua DAMEVSKI, 28. Harrison SAWYER (54′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 4. Lachlan JACKSON, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 7. Daniel ARZANI, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 9. Nikos VERGOS, 14. Jordi VALADON, 16. Joshua INSERRA, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 30. Daniel GRASKOSKI (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL (83′), 10. Bruno FORNAROLI (86′), 18. Fabian MONGE (75′), 19. Jing REEC, 22. Josh RAWLINS (83′), 23. Alex BADOLATO (75′)
