Melbourne Victory climbed into fifth in the Hyundai A-League after a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Sunday night.
Summary
Victory was rewarded for a dominant first half at Suncorp Stadium with goals from Rhys Williams and Kosta Barbarouses.
However, it had to hold on in Brisbane after Massimo Maccarone struck for the Roar.
Barbarouses, James Troisi and Jason Geria had chances before Victory deservedly opened the scoring.
Williams headed a wonderful Leroy George corner past Jamie Young in the 12th minute for his first goal since October 2011.
It was 2-0 just seven minutes later as George’s cross from the left found Barbarouses at the back post, the New Zealand international tapping in.
The assist was George’s sixth of the season, the most of any player in the Hyundai A-League.
Barbarouses almost struck again just before half-time, but Young made a brilliant save to deny the attacker from close-range.
Brisbane pulled a goal back in the 56th minute, Maccarone finishing after a pass from Matt McKay.
Besart Berisha had what would have been a sealer ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR), but Victory held on.
Player in focus
Key moment
What they said – Rhys Williams
On the win…
“I think we’re hitting patches on and off and we need to be more consistent. Now we fly back and we look forward to next week.
“It’s down to us to pick it up again next week, we’ve got a big one in the Derby and what an occasion to go again.”
On his goal…
“I think I’ve had the most shots in the team. It’s about time one went in but the delivery was great. We’ve been working on set-pieces and hopefully we can get a few more.”
Result
Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 11
Brisbane Roar 1 (Massimo Maccarone 56′)
Melbourne Victory 2 (Rhys Williams 12′, Kosta Barbarouses 19′)
Brisbane Roar: Young (gk), Hingert, Pepper, Bowles, O’Toole, Oxborrow (Kristensen 64′), McKay (c), Skapetis (Leck 67′), Franjic (Akbari 60′), Maccarone, Ben Khalfallah
Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk), Geria, Deng, Williams, Broxham (Nigro 45′), Valeri (c), Sanchez (Hope 89′), Troisi, Barbarouses, Berisha, George (Ingham 71′)
Yellow cards: Franjic 27′, Deng 55′, Bowles 81′, Thomas 90+1′
Red cards: Nil
Attendance: 10,225
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Next up
Victory is next in action in the Melbourne Derby against City on Saturday.