Melbourne Victory has continued its perfect pre-season with a 1-0 win over Adelaide United in a friendly at Coopers Stadium on Wednesday.
Marco Rojas scored the decisive goal in the ninth minute, calmly putting away a Daniel Georgievski cross in wet and windy conditions.
Victory is now unbeaten in seven pre-season games, including three against Hyundai A-League opposition.
Kevin Muscat made five changes to the Victory side that defeated Sydney FC 3-1 last week, with Georgievski, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Nick Ansell, Leigh Broxham and Rashid Mahazi all promoted to the starting XI.
Victory made a bright start against the reigning Hyundai A-League Champions, with Rojas looking lively on the right wing.
The Kiwi appeared to have opened the scoring in just the sixth minute, though he was flagged offside by the assistant referee following a brilliant piece of play by Victory.
But the missed opportunity was soon forgotten as Rojas put Victory in front just three minutes later.
Both sides traded half-chances after the opening goal, with Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas making a couple of routine saves.
The defensive pairing of Nick Ansell and James Donachie was otherwise strong at the back, keeping Adelaide’s attackers at bay.
Both sides made numerous changes in the second half as the sting was somewhat taken out of the contest.
Former Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Alastair Bray, who is currently on trial at Victory, replaced Thomas at the break, while Carl Valeri, Alan Baro, Oliver Bozanic and Mitch Austin also featured off the bench.
While there were few chances, James Troisi starred in the second half in particular and looked settled in the No.10 role as Victory held on for the win.
Victory will now focus on its Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Final against Bentleigh Greens on Wednesday, September 27.
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Result
Adelaide United 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (Marco Rojas 9′)
