Melbourne Victory host Brisbane Roar on Saturday night knowing a win is imperative to their hopes of finishing inside the top two.
Victory, currently stuck in a six-match winless streak across all competitions, have struggled for form as of late, while ninth-placed Brisbane have managed just three wins all season.
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MATCH PREVIEW: Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
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But fans of both clubs know never to relax ahead of a fixture that has thrown up some outrageous and memorable encounters in the past.
Take their thrilling Elimination Final in 2016 for example, a dizzying contest that included a red card, momentum swings and three goals amid the most frantic of finishes.
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One of the wildest Finals Series clashes in recent memory unfolded in front of an electric Suncorp Stadium crowd and pitted former Caltex Socceroos team-mates Kevin Muscat and John Aloisi against each other on the touchline.
Victory had qualified in sixth, seven points behind Brisbane, but registered 10 shots to none in a dominant first-half half performance, showing energy and willingness to press high up the field.
The visitors continued their offensive onslaught in the second stanza and should have had the breakthrough in the 63rd minute when Kosta Barbarouses crossed a perfect ball to Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
63' Another chance goes begging. This time it's FBK whose effort goes wide of the target #BRIvMVC 0-0 #MVFC pic.twitter.com/Lj70XGARh4
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) April 15, 2016
The Tunisian inexplicably side-footed wide from six yards, giving his future employers a reprieve.
The match turned on its head when Jason Geria received his marching orders in the 83rd minute for two yellow cards in quick succession.
Or so it seemed.
Another teasing corner from Barbarouses in the 86th minute was met by a lunging Besart Berisha, the ex-Roar favourite contorting his body at right angles to connect with the half-volley and blast past Jamie Young.
Muscat subbed on another defender to help protect the slender lead, but in front of a frenzied home crowd the Roar immediately found another gear.
In the 88th minute, Dimitri Petratos found space on the right wing and whipped in a wicked ball that found the feet of a gut-running Matt McKay.
With his shirt tucked in, McKay tucked the ball past Lawrence Thomas to erase Victory’s lead mere moments after their celebrations ended.
And there was still time for more late drama.
It was the 93rd minute. Brisbane had earned a corner. This was their last chance to avoid the agony of extra-time.
Spanish midfielder Corona fired in a fizzing corner and the Roar chased it like a pack of lions.
Who else but Thomas Broich would read it best, sending a thumping header past Lawrence Thomas and seal a heart-stopping win in the third minute of added time.
What a way to start next season! Will we see some more late drama from @brisbaneroar & @gomvfc? pic.twitter.com/ePekyxGTPc
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) June 9, 2016
Another chapter in Roar’s history of remarkable comebacks was written.
Aloisi’s men would ultimately succumb in another classic the following week, losing out 5-4 (AET) to Western Sydney Wanderers in the Semi Finals.
But for the jubilant Brisbane fans at Suncorp Stadium that night in April 2016, it felt as if they had already won it all.
Catch Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar this Saturday night on Fox Sports 505 as well as LIVE and FREE on Ten Bold with kick-off at 7:50pm AEDT.
You can also stream the game live on the MyFootball Live App, or by subscribing to Kayo Sports. Tickets available here.
