A moment of magic from Jake Brimmer has 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 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.
There was also controversy with United arguably unlucky not to receive a penalty in the fifth minute when Jason Davidson went into the back of Lachie Wales.
Victory almost struck early with Brimmer whipping a free kick just outside the near post in the second minute.
From there United, who were coming off a three-day turnaround compared to Victory’s nine days between games, dominated.
Three minutes after Wales’ penalty appeal, Ben Garuccio whipped in a corner and Victory goalkeeper Ivan Kelava did brilliantly to bat away Aleksandar Prijovic’s near-post header.
From there Victory had several half-chances, with Nick D’Agostino flashing a volley wide in the 23rd minute.
In the 40th minute, Victory defender Roderick Miranda outmuscled Dylan Wenzel-Halls inside the area but his appeals were ignored.
United created the first opening after the break with Garuccio picking out Leo Lacroix from a corner only for the big centre-back to head the ball straight into Kelava’s gloves.
Then, as the game looked set to peter out, Brimmer, one of Victory’s best this season, brought it to life.
Davidson’s corner was punched clear by Jamie Young but it bounced into the path of an unmarked Brimmer, who drove his effort over the goalkeeper’s head.
United lifted their intensity but were unable to respond.
Victory were at full strength with Matthew Spiranovic returning and Brendan Hamill dropping to the bench.
Josh Risdon returned to United’s starting XI with Tomoki Imai shifted centrally to cover the loss of Rene Khrin (hamstring).
RECAP: WESTERN UNITED 0-1 MELBOURNE VICTORY
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
Full-time at AAMI Park, and Victory win via Western’s favourite scoreline – 1-0 – to take the advantage at the midway point of the two-legged semifinal!
74′: GOAL! Brimmer (0-1)
How about that from Brimmer!
It was always going to take something special to beat Young tonight, and that’s exactly what Brimmer produced, controlling the ball with his chest and volleying his strike into the top-left corner from range.
64′: CHANCE! Lacroix (0-0)
Leo Lacroix is left alone in the box to head a Ben Garuccio corner on target; the ball flies straight at Ivan Kelava to Victory’s relief.
60′: Half an hour to go at AAMI Park (0-0)
… and nothing to split the two sides heading into the final 30 minutes of play.
46′: SECOND HALF (0-0)
We’re all square as the two sides emerge from the sheds for the second half.
44′: CHANCE! Brillante (0-0)
Josh Brillante finds himself in a rare position, bombing toward the byline to play a cross to D’Agostino lurking inside the penalty area.
Tomoki Imai gets across quickly to close the space and concede a corner.
41′: CHANCE! Brimmer (0-0)
Brimmer from range gives Young a scare, with a dipping, swerving effort off the left looking for a moment as if it might squeeze into the top-right corner. Instead it fizzes over the crossbar.
24′: CHANCE! D’Agostino (0-0)
Nick D’Agostino has entered the contest.
Receiving the ball from Brimmer’s whipped cross off the right flank, D’Agostino attempted a first-time volley off his left boot, with his shot sailing into the stands instead of troubling Western keeper Jamie Young.
21′: CHANCE! Rojas (0-0)
An excellent advantage applied by referee Faghani after Risdon’s challenge on Brimmer allowed Victory to attack down the left through Davidson, whose delivery to the back post just evaded the head of Marco Rojas arriving at the back post.
8′: SAVE! Kelava (0-0)
A Western corner finds Aleksandar Prijović all alone in the box, who nods his header from the far post toward the back.
Ivan Kelava gets down to save, and Victory clear before Western could tap home the loose ball.
5′: NO PENALTY! (0-0)
Lachie Wales goes down in the box, bundled over from behind by a clumsy Jason Davidson.
Referee Alireza Faghani elected not to award the spot kick, and the VAR did not instruct the on-field official to take a second look at the sideline monitor.
2′: CHANCE! BRIMMER (0-0)
Victory win an early free-kick, and Jake Brimmer steps up to take it for Victory. He angles his curling strike toward the bottom-left corner, but the ball skids off the surface and past the post for a goal kick.
1′: KICK-OFF (0-0)
We are underway at AAMI Park!
TEAM NEWS
After succumbing to injury in Western’s 1-0 win over Wellington Phoenix on Saturday night, Rene Krhin drops out of his side’s starting lineup, vacating a hole in central defence.
Josh Rison is the player slotting into the Western XI in his absence, making Tomoki Imai the likeliest option to join Leo Lacroix in centre-back, with Risdon at right-back.
