Victory on verge of claiming Premiers' Plate after second Brisbane win

Melbourne Victory is within touching distance of lifting its first trophy in six years after a controversial penalty secured it a 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Melbourne Victory

Melbourne Victory players celebrate a goal by Mark Milligan's (R) winning penalty against Brisbane. (AAP) Source: AAP

The win means Victory can only lose out to Sydney FC in the race for the Plate on goal difference with Melbourne holding a seven goal advantage over its rival with only one match remaining.

The second win in four days over Brisbane was sealed by a Mark Milligan penalty after referee Ben Williams pointed to the spot when Carl Valeri appeared to kick George Lambadaridis as the Melbourne midfielder shaped to shoot.

The penalty proved crucial as the visitor held on for a vital three points.

Just days after losing to Victory, Brisbane made a stunning eight changes to the starting line-up for the second clash at home.
In what was an free-flowing start to the contest, Melbourne created the better openings, but was unable to add the finishing touch.

Yet it was the Roar that came closest to scoring early on. Steven Lustica curled in a shot from outside the box off a free kick that thundered off the crossbar.

Brisbane continued to look dangerous on the break. Jean Carlos Solorzano broke down the right and lofted in a deflected cross that looped over Lawrence Thomas and hit the post.

On the verge of half-time Victory had the chance to take the lead from the spot. Valeri was played into the area by Fahid Ben Khalfallah and seemed to be taken down by Lambadaridis, and after much consideration referee Ben Williams pointed to the spot.

Replays showed the officials may have got it wrong with Valeri kicking his opponent as he prepared to shoot.
Milligan stepped up and dispatched the penalty to give Melbourne a 1-0 lead at the interval.

Victory controlled proceedings in the second half and repelled the Roar attack to seal a win that takes within touching distance of the Premiers' Plate.

Coach Kevin Muscat admitted his side would keep a lid on any celebrations until the club's first piece of silverware in six years was officially theirs.

"There's nothing handed out tonight," he said.

"We'll enjoy that victory without doubt but in terms of receiving silverware, we've still got to get the job done next week.

"To come here in four days and beat two different teams gives us an indication of where we're at."

Roar boss Frans Thijssen was beaming with pride at the efforts of his young charges against one of the competition's powerhouse sides.

"The battle to the end of the game ... I was quite pleased with the guys," he said.

"Especially looking at players who play for the first time in a big stadium.

"It's not possible to play with the same players all the time. They showed today they can do a good job in the future."


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3 min read
Published 18 April 2015 7:53pm
Updated 18 April 2015 11:20pm
Source: SBS

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