Finkler brace fires Victory past Mariners

Gui Finkler struck twice to help Melbourne Victory close the gap at the top of the A-League to a single point as it edged past Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Melbourne Victory's Gui Finkler celebrates scoring his side's opener against Central Coast (AAP)

Melbourne Victory's Gui Finkler celebrates scoring his side's opener against Central Coast (AAP) Source: AAP

Finkler took his tally to six for the season with a well struck goals in each half to leave Victory breathing down the neck of ladder leader Wellington Phoenix, which faces Sydney FC on Sunday.

A depleted Victory had to come from behind after Isaka Cernak had given the Mariners the lead but was more than worth its win.

Coach Kevin Muscat had to tinker with his starting line-up with skipper Mark Milligan (Socceroos), Scott Galloway (Olyroos), Jason Geria (Olyroos) and Daniel Georgievski (Macedonia) away on international duty, and Kosta Barbarouses (back) out injured.

The ever-dangerous Fahid Ben Khalfallah, who has yet to ink a new deal for Victory after his stellar debut season, had the Mariners rocking in the eighth minute as he embarked on a mazy run into the box before hitting the side netting with his shot, much to the relief of the visitor.
Then, in the 15th minute, Besart Berisha showed his intent with a powerful header which flew just wide as a Victory side missing a raft of players on international duty chased an early breakthrough.

But Victory didn't have it all its own way with the pace and trickery of wide man Fabio Ferreira and the composure and resiliance of Nick Montgomery and Anthony Caceres in midfield providing plenty of possession.

And Tony Walmsley's side, which has nothing left to play for this season other than pride, took a deserved 32nd minute lead when skipper John Hutchinson's cross was met by the head of Nick Fitzgerald and keeper Nathan Coe could only parry the ball into the path of Cernak who powered his header home.
But Victory hit back within eight minutes as Finkler, always a threat given any sight of goal, curled a pin-point effort from the edge of the area past the diving Liam Reddy off the inside of the post for the equaliser.

Chances were scarce after the break with the Mariners continuing to stifle Victory, while looking menacing on their incursions up front.

It took another moment of magic from Finkler to hand Victory the three points, as he sent an angled 77th-minute finish over a crowd of players and high into the net to Reddy's left after good work from Archie Thopmson.

 

 

 


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3 min read
Published 27 March 2015 6:48pm
Updated 28 March 2015 12:20am
Source: SBS

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