Melbourne Victory’s commanding form has continued with a hard-earned 2-0 defeat of rivals Adelaide United in a lively contest at Coopers Stadium on Saturday night.
James Troisi and Besart Berisha combined to see off the hosts who toiled hard but, for the first time in Hyundai A-League history, failed to find the net in a third straight match.
Troisi’s second goal of the season was a worthy opener during an entertaining opening as the midfielder curled Victory into a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Isaias almost conjured a stunning equaliser for Adelaide after the break but the midfielder’s teasing free-kick came back off the crossbar.
Berisha put the seal on Victory’s fifth straight win just three minutes later when he traded roles with Troisi, the Albanian this time heading home his teammate’s free-kick to push Kevin Muscat’s side six points clear in second.
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GOALS
0-1 Victory: Troisi, 22’
Berisha collected Leigh Broxham’s left-sided pass and teed it up for Troisi to beautifully curl beyond the reach of an outstretched Eugene Galekovic.
0-2 Victory: Berisha, 68’
After winning the free-kick himself, Berisha firmly headed Troisi’s delivery into the bottom near corner.
KEY MOMENT
Isaias was agonisingly denied an equaliser when his classy free-kick crashed against the crossbar midway through the second-half. Victory doubled their advantage fewer than five minutes later.
CROWD
10,036 @ Coopers Stadium
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