Report: Friendly v Rochedale Rovers

Melbourne Victory has continued it pre-season camp in Queensland with a 7-0 win over FQPL side Rochedale Rovers on Wednesday night.

The win was highlighted by a Chris Ikonomidis hat-trick as Victory rounded a busy week on the training field with a strong performance against local opposition.

First half…

Starting XI: Acton, Cadete, Broxham, Ikonomidis, Brillante, Folami, Timotheou, Nigro, Nani, Miranda, Wilson

Ikonomidis opened the scoring before many could take their seats at Underwood Park as Ben Folami’s touch beyond the on-rushing keeper was buried by the Victory number seven to open the scoring.

Nani then stole the show with his free-kick he curled around the wall to double the score within ten minutes.

The home side showed some resistance after the visitors quick start, with their best chance of the match coming through a counter attack after 25 minutes but the opportunity was thwarted by George Timotheou who was there to snuff out the danger.

Positive combination play in the final third – mainly involving Nani and Will Wilson – came to no further fruition in the first half as the team returned to the sheds with a 2-0 lead

Second half…

Starting XI: Taleb, Nigro, Spiranovic, Timotheou, Smith, Wilson, Marchan, Prso, Folami, Ikonomidis, Adams

Five changes were made at the break as Tony Popovic’s side looked to add goals to their positive play in the final third.

Ikonomidis added his second and third in almost identical fashion, tapping in at the back post from respective Will Wilson and Eli Adams cutbacks.

Second half substitute Nick D’Agostino also got in on the act, adding the fifth goal from a line-breaking run by Luka Prso before Adams and Smith rounded out the result late in the second half.