Melbourne Victory’s A-League Men have recorded an important 2-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on Sunday evening.
SUMMARY
Melbourne Victory have claimed all three points at home on Sunday, downing the Central Coast Mariners with a confident display of football.
Both sides fielded attack-focussed lineups, leading to a fast paced and intense start to the game, with chances at either end.
The home side broke the deadlock and opened the scoring through Bruno Fornaroli with a spectacular effort, looping the ball up and over Danny Vukovic on the half volley.
Half chances were continually created throughout the first half, leading to a free flowing matchup.
Central Coast came close through Christian Theoharous right before half-time, but the forward put too much on his effort, sending it flying just over Izzo’s crossbar.
It was chances aplenty to open the second half, with both sides recording multiple sights at goal.
Fernando Romero doubled Victory’s lead 55 minutes in, opening his A-Leagues account with his first goal for the Club since arriving from Paraguay.
The goal was set up by centre back Damien Da Silva, who showed composure to pick out winger Chris Ikonomidis, delivering the assist.
Central Coast had a golden opportunity to halve the deficit 5 minutes later through Brazilian Moresche. Damien Da Silva’s last ditch effort was enough to thwart the danger to Paul Izzo’s goal.
In what continued as an eventful start to the second half, Fernando Romero was shown red following a VAR review for a challenge on Central Coast’s Max Ballard.
Two sweeping attacks in as many minutes saw the Victory come close to making it three and four through Kadete and Chris Ikonomidis. Kadete’s powerful effort stung Danny Vukovic’s gloves, while Ikonomidis showed signs he is returning to his best – driving at fullback Storm Roux and sending his shot just wide of the top right corner.
Directly after, Central Coast attacked Victory’s North End and came close through a trademark Jason Cummings whipped strike, but luckily for the Victory, it failed to bend back in time.
Nine minutes of stoppages were added to the end of the second half, which brought out the best of Victory’s defence – who held on to claim all three points and a clean sheet.
Next up for the Victory is a week’s break, before the side travels to Wellington on Saturday April 1 to take on the Phoenix.
KEY MOMENT
Fernando Romero’s first goal for the Victory sent Melbourne 2-0 up. The striker’s reaction was a display of his passion and hunger, who has undoubtedly worn the Victory shirt with pride at every chance.
The goal was set up by Damien Da Silva, who picked out Chris Ikonomidis, with the winger delivering the assist for the Paraguayan.
IMPLICATIONS
It’s a tale of the number six post-win for the Victory.
Having claimed all three points on Sunday evening, Melbourne now find themselves six points away from sixth placed Sydney FC, with six games remaining.
RESULT
Isuzu UTE A-League 2022/23 Round 21
Melbourne Victory 2 (Fornaroli 16′, Romero 55′)
Central Coast Mariners 0
NEXT
Victory’s Men now have a week off, before returning to action away in New Zealand to the Wellington Phoenix on Saturday April 1.
