Melbourne Victory Men enjoy a second-straight win and clean sheet, defeating Perth Glory on the road.
Following a strong 2-0 win over Sydney FC, Arthur Diles kept an unchanged starting XI at HBF Park.
It was a back-and-forth first half between the two sides, fighting for control over the game.
Chances fell for both sides, many for Victory arising from Ryan Teague’s dangerous set-piece deliveries into the box.
Adam Taggart in particular had an excellent chance to open the scoring for the home side, but Mitch Langerak made himself big with an excellent one-on-one save.
As such, the scoreline remained 0-0 entering the half-time break with Victory ahead in both possession and total shots at goal.
The Glory entered the second 45 on fire, not far from scoring soon after kick-off until Brendan Hamill intervened with a vital clearance.
David Zdrillic’s side enjoyed a period of sustained dominance in the game and applied great pressure to Victory’s defensive line.
However, Victory defended valiantly and did not allow the home side to find the back of the net.
Soaking up Perth’s attacking pressure, Victory began to work their way into the second half and looked dangerous on the counter.
This would all come together right on the hour mark after Zinedine Machach’s powerful strike on the edge of the box was parried right into the path of Nishan Velupillay, who was presented with an excellent opportunity and did not disappoint.
It was Velupillay’s first goal since early November, a real opportunistic goal to give Victory the lead.
Not sold with just one, Victory were not done here and soon after doubled their lead thanks to Santos.
A counter-attacking move resulted in Nikos Vergos finding space down the left wing and the forward delivered a perfectly weighted cross that was met by the head of the Brazilian winger, flying past Oli Sail and rippling into the net.
This represented Santos’ third goal in just four games, who gave the travelling Victory supporters some celebratory backflips.
In the driver’s seat, Victory did well to continue to manage the game and ensure the home side would not find a way back into the game.
Arthur Diles called upon Daniel Arzani, Bruno Fornaroli, Reno Piscopo, Adama Traore and Fabian Monge across the remainder of the half to help see out an excellent win on the road for the Navy Blues.
This was a particularly excellent result for Victory, securing consecutive 2-0 wins and jumping all the way up to third in the Isuzu Ute A-League ladder after a difficult period of results previously.
Melbourne Victory will stay on the road for their upcoming game, travelling across to face the Newcastle Jets on Saturday, February 8.
Match Details
Isuzu Ute A-League Round 17
Perth Glory 0
Melbourne Victory 2 (Velupillay 61′, Santos 66′)
Perth Glory Starting XI: 1. Oli SAIL (GK), 4. Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 7. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 15. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 19. Josh RISDON, 20. Trent OSTLER, 22. Adam TAGGART (C), 23. Patrick WOOD, 25. Jaylan PEARMAN, 27. Will FRENEY, 29. Tomislav MRCELA
Substitutes: 13. Cameron COOK (GK), 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC (84′), 12. Taras GOMULKA (79′), 17. Yuto MISAO (68′), 18. Lachie WALES (68′), 28. Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI, 31. Joel ANASMO (68′)
Melbourne Victory Starting XI: 1. Mitch LANGERAK (GK), 5. Brendan HAMILL, 6. Ryan TEAGUE, 8. Zinèdine MACHACH, 9. Nikos VERGOS, 11. SANTOS, 14. Jordi VALADON, 17. Nishan VELUPILLAY, 21. Roderick MIRANDA (C), 22. Josh RAWLINS, 28. Kasey BOS
Substitutes: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 5. Adama TRAORÈ (87′), 7. Daniel ARZANI (68′), 10. Bruno FORNAROLI (68′), 16. Joshua INSERRA, 18. Fabian MONGE (87′), 27. Reno PISCOPO (79′)
