We look back at some of Melbourne Victory’s most memorable moments over the last few seasons of the Hyundai A-League.
Melbourne Victory meets Roar in a blockbuster semi-final on Sunday looking to qualify for a fourth Hyundai A-League grand final appearance.
We look back at some of the club’s most memorable moments over the last few seasons of the Hyundai A-League.
Carlos’s cracker against Gold Coast in 2009
Carlos Hernandez scored some brilliant goals for Victory in his time at the club but none better than the one which won the game against Gold Coast. The Costa Rican ran at a retreating defence and despite having options to both his left and right decided to try his luck from 35 yards out. What happened next was a thing of beauty, with his powerful strike – with little back lift – swerving through the air before dipping perfectly into the top corner of the net with the goal-keeper left stranded and wondering what had just happened.
Archie’s high five in 2007 decider
It will go down as one of the best grand final displays of all-time and unlikely to ever be repeated. On a balmy February night Thompson did the incredible when he struck five times as Victory trounced Adelaide 6-0 to secure the club’s first A-League title. The Reds had no answer to Thompson’s pace, movement and clinical finishing in a performance that boosted the profile of the club as well as the A-League as a whole. And Thompson is still knocking in the goals seven years on and went back to the league’s all-time leading scorer after his strike against Sydney FC last weekend.
Fabulous fightback
Matches between Victory and Sydney FC rarely disappoint but one in the early rounds of the 2012/13 season really stands out. The Sky Blues looked headed for a morale-boosting win as they lead 2-0 midway through the second half. But the introduction of teenager Andrew Nabbout off the bench changed the game, with the youngster scoring twice as Victory scored three times in the last 15 minutes to pinch the win in front of Sydney’s home fans. It was the final straw for Sky Blues coach Ian Crook, who resigned the next morning after a poor start to the season.
Robinson an instant hero
The English attacker made just seven appearances for the club but made a significant impact in their championship-winning season in 2009. With scores locked at 1-1 in injury-time in the major semi-final second leg, Victory were staring at defeat on the away goals rule meaning Adelaide would host the grand final. But Robinson was on hand at the back-post to loop in a header in the second minute of stoppage time to thrill the crowd of more than 47,000 home fans and ensure Victory would advance and host the decider, which they went on to win 1-0.
Pegging back Central Coast with nine men
Victory have had some huge wins in their time but arguably one of the best ever results was their 3-3 draw with the Mariners in season two. After a frantic start to the match saw Central Coast lead 3-2 inside 23 minutes, Victory found themselves up against it when defenders Kevin Muscat and Roddy Vargas were sent off before the break. But instead of sitting back and trying to limit the damage, Victory kept playing their aggressive, attacking game and were rewarded when Danny Allsopp struck in the 87th minute to salvage an unlikely and courageous point.
Sunday, 27 April 2014
Hyundai A-League 2014 Semi Final 1
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 5.00pm local ( AEST)
Click here to purchase tickets.
