Melbourne Victory defeated Bali United 5-0 in Preliminary Round 2 of the AFC Champions League at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday night.
Victory will now travel to face Kashima Antlers for a place in the Group Stage next Tuesday, January 28.
Summary
Melbourne started the match with plenty of scoring chances in the opening 10 minutes. Robbie Kruse, Andrew Nabbout and Elvis Kamsoba all found good positions but couldn’t hit the back of the net.
It was Migjen Basha who eventually opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Storm Roux’s cross from the right hit Elvis Kamsoba, who flicked the ball into the path of Basha, setting the Albanian up to finish in the top left corner.
Victory continued to apply the pressure and eventually doubled the lead when Josh Hope tapped home Robbie Kruse’s cross from the right in the 37th minute.
WATCH: Hope doubles Victory’s lead
.@Hopey76 puts us two ahead! #MELvBAL #ACL2020 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/d0EAOEFKR9
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) January 21, 2020
Robbie Kruse added a third in the 59th minute, completing a nice team move by poking the ball home at the near post following Anthony Lesiotis’ square pass from the left side.
The second half saw the return of Ola Toivonen from injury when he replaced Kruse in the 66th minute.
It didn’t take long for the Swede to find the net. A stunning volley in the 81st minute left Bali United goalkeeper Wawan Hendrawan stranded and notched up Victory’s fourth goal.
Elvis Kamsoba then capped a solid win for Melbourne with the fifth goal just before injury time, slotting the ball home following a nice through pass by Toivonen.
WATCH: Toivonen’s top quality volley
TOIVONEN! Superb work by our star Swede #MELvBAL #ACL2020 pic.twitter.com/K3KInLiTl9
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) January 21, 2020
Result
2020 AFC Champions League Preliminary Round 2
Melbourne Victory 5 (Migjen Basha 14′, Josh Hope 37′, Robbie Kruse 59′, Ola Toivonen 81′ Elvis Kamsoba 90′)
Bali United 0
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk); Roux, Donachie, Broxham (c) (Carrigan 78′), Traore; Basha (Barnett 62′), Lesiotis, Hope; Nabbout, Kruse (Toivonen 66′), Kamsoba.
Bali United: Hendrawan; Dias, Fajrin, Haudi, Pacheco; Nouri, Platje, Fadil, Paulo Sergio, Lilipaly, Yabes Roni.
Yellow cards: Josh Hope
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: 5,387
Venue: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
Next up
Victory hosts Sydney FC in Round 16 of the Hyundai A-League at AAMI Park on Friday, January 24.
