Super-sub Scott Brown earned Scottish giants Celtic a 1-0 success over a resolute Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.
Super-sub Scott Brown earned Scottish giants Celtic a 1-0 success over a resolute Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.
Brown’s rasping 20-yard effort in the 78th minute was enough to separate the sides in the glamour friendly in front of a fine 20,794 crowd.
Up until the Scottish international’s wonder strike, it looked as though the home side had done enough to earn their best result against European opposition thanks predominantly to Tando Velaphi.
The Victory custodian was world-class at times, producing a raft of quality saves to frustrate the visitors.
Whenever Celtic pressed for the goal to break the deadlock, the 24-year-old stood in the way.
He twice thwarted Greek striker Georgios Samaras with low diving efforts and his tip over the bar from Charlie Mulgrew’s 51st minute free kick was top draw.
It took Brown, who had come on as a 59th minute substitute, to beat Velaphi and even that came after a deflection on the way through after Brown’s sweet hit from Kris Commons’ corner.
While Celtic went home with the chocolates, Victory could certainly lay claim to not earning at least a draw.
The home side’s best period came in the first 15 minutes after halftime with new recruit Jean Carlos Solorzano and Daniel Allsopp spurning very good chances.
Solorzano came within inches of marking his debut with a goal just six minutes after coming on as a halftime substitute.
Fellow debutant Marco Rojas found space down the right and his fine ball to the far post found Solorzano, but the Costa Rican’s shot went wide.
Only six minutes later, a Victory corner created uncertainty in the Celtic defence and the ball bounced its way into Allsopp’s path, but he unfortunately couldn’t hit the target from point-blank range.
While Velaphi was clearly Victory’s best player, New Zealand international Rojas wasn’t far behind him.
Signed from Wellington Phoenix during the off-season, the 19-year-old winger showed plenty to suggest he’ll make a great impact in Victory colours.
Rojas was at the heartbeat of most of the Victory’s attacking forays and earned a warm ovation when substituted at the 86 minute mark.
Captain Adrian Leijer marshalled the home side’s defence with aplomb and enjoyed an engaging battle with Samaras.
New coach Mehmet Durakovic also used the friendly to blood a number of the Victory’s young talents such as Petar Franjic, Dado Lokvancic, Jimmy Jeggo and Luke O’Dea.
Celtic 1 (Scott Brown 78)
Melbourne Victory 0
@ AAMI Park. Crowd: 20,794.
