A moment of magic from Jake Brimmer handed Melbourne Victory a 1-0 win over Western United and the ascendancy in their two-legged A-League Men semi-final.
Brimmer’s marvellous, dipping half-volley from outside the box, after Jamie Young had punched a corner clear, in the 74th minute at AAMI Park proved the difference in a clash that had plenty of aggression but few quality chances.
Crucially, it hands Tony Popovic’s Victory a one-goal advantage ahead of Saturday’s reverse fixture at the same venue, as they eye their first Grand Final appearance in four years.
“It was a tough semi-final. It’s what you expect, it was a real battle,” Popovic said.
“We had to be patient and it took a fantastic goal to do it but at half-time in a two-leg match, we’ve got the slight advantage.”
Popovic hailed breakout star Brimmer for again stepping up in a big moment.
“Jakey is doing something now that probably he needed in his game,” Popovic said.
“He’s always assisted goals but now he’s scoring and he’s scoring in big games.
“We’re very happy with how he’s playing and hopefully he can produce another special moment on Saturday.
“He’s always had the talent and now he’s a lot more consistent in his play.
“He’s one of the players in our squad that didn’t miss (pre-season) training. He wanted to be the best every day.
“When you work that way and you have the talent Jakey has, the rewards can follow.”
There was controversy with Western arguably unlucky not to receive a penalty in the fifth minute when Jason Davidson went into Lachie Wales’ back.
“We all saw it. The referee obviously didn’t see it. The assistant referee didn’t see it, I don’t know how. But the VAR missing it has happened to us all season so I expected the VAR to miss it,” Western head coach John Aloisi said.
“… Anyone that understands the game will know that’s a clear penalty.
“There’s no intent to play the ball. He’s pushed him from behind.
“That’s disappointing because when it’s so clear, you expect if the referee doesn’t see it … then help him.”
Speaking on Network 10, co-commentator Andy Harper observed: “That is more of a penalty every time I see it.
“Match officials look at that and blame the attacking player for putting themselves in that position and trying to win the free-kick. It’s a redundant argument, because Lachie Wales had front position.
“He’s entitled to stop and prop and control the ball, which is very, very difficult when someone pushes you in the back to do that.”
Fellow pundit Alex Brosque added: “I’m with ‘Harps’.
“They should’ve called the referee over to at least see, or give him the chance to see something he may have missed. We all saw it, and we all agree – it was a penalty.”
On the whole, the Western boss was pleased, especially given they were coming off a three-day turnaround compared to Victory’s nine days between games.
Western dominated early in the first half and in the eighth minute Victory goalkeeper Ivan Kelava did brilliantly to bat away Aleksandar Prijovic’s near-post header.
Aloisi’s side had several half-chances to equalise after Brimmer’s goal.
“We limited them to a few chances, if any, and they had to score a special goal to win the game,” Aloisi said.
“To be honest, we’re well and truly in this tie. This is the first half, we’re 1-0 down.”
