Melbourne Victory wrapped up the Hyundai A-League regular season with a 1-0 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.
Summary
Ola Toivonen’s fantastic first-half header was enough for Victory to return to winning ways ahead of the Finals Series.
The win at ANZ Stadium saw Victory reach 50 points, the result a boost ahead of next week’s Elimination Final.
Victory started brightly and it went close in the sixth minute, Keisuke Honda seeing a volley fly just wide.
The visitor put together some nice passing moves in what was a relatively open first half with half-chances at both ends.
And it took the lead midway through the half thanks to Toivonen’s 13th league goal of the season.
The Swede produced a bullet header from a Thomas Deng cross to give Victory a deserved lead.
The Wanderers enjoyed a good period after going behind, with Victory goalkeeper Matthew Acton needed to bravely smother at the feet of Alexander Baumjohann in the 38th minute.
However, Victory settled and Raul Baena curled a strike over before Georg Niedermeier headed wide on the stroke of half-time.
Acton was again tested early in the second half, making a great save with his legs to deny Bruce Kamau from close range.
Western Sydney was on top after the break, although Kosta Barbarouses did put a powerful drive over the crossbar for Victory in the 58th minute.
Barbarouses almost doubled Victory’s lead nine minutes later, denied in a one-on-one by Wanderers goalkeeper Jack Greenwood after running with the ball from inside his own half.
Substitute Elvis Kamsoba headed a Toivonen cross over in the 71st minute, Victory largely untroubled in the closing stages to secure three points.
Player in focus
Key moment
What they said – Toivonen
on his goal…
“It was a nice goal, good cross from Tommy and we’re flying home with the three points.”
on Victory’s position…
“I think the whole season has been a little bit up and down, a lot of injuries going through the squad, but now the fun part starts so we’re looking forward to it.”
Result
Hyundai A-League 2018/19 Round 27
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (Ola Toivonen 22′)
Western Sydney Wanderers: Greenwood (gk); Russell (Bridge 59′), Elrich, Mourdoukoutas, Llorente; Baccus, Gallifuoco (Tokich 85′); Bonevacia (Majok 84′), Baumjohann, Kamau; Duke (c).
Melbourne Victory: Acton (gk); Broxham, Niedermeier, Donachie, Deng (Roux 72′); Valeri (c) (Kamsoba 63′); Honda, Antonis, Baena; Barbarouses (Athiu 87′), Toivonen.
Yellow cards: Deng 27, Niedermeier 28′, Baena 46′, Bonevacia 77′, Gallifuoco 83′, Baumjohann 88′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: TBA
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Next up
Victory will host either City or Wellington Phoenix in an Elimination Final at AAMI Park on Friday, May 3.
