Jake Brimmer insists Melbourne Victory always believed their first win of the season was there for the taking against Perth Glory – even when a goal down with four minutes to play at AAMI Park.
Former Glory midfielder Brimmer netted his first A-League goal, after going 60 competition games without scoring for the Western Australians, to level the scores in the 86th minute before completing a stunning comeback with a last-minute penalty.
Brimmer’s corner-kick delivery struck the hand of Perth’s 16-year-old defender Josh Rawlins to earn the 90th-minute spot-kick and the 22-year-old added a composed finish from 12 yards to complete the dramatic turnaround and sink his old club.
Bruno Fornaroli had headed Glory in front against the run of play in the 62nd minute but, even with the clock ticking down, Brimmer was confident that Grant Brebner’s side would claim their first points of A-League Season 2020/21.
“The atmosphere is unbelievable. It’s good to get the win. It just shows you never stop fighting and we got the result that we wanted,” Brimmer said.
“There was never a doubt. You can see by the quality of players we have that anything can happen. We just dug in deep and got the three points and that’s all that matters.”
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https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6226186023001
Had Richard Garcia’s side managed to see out the final four minutes, Victory would have slipped to defeat in their opening three A-League games for the first time in their 16-year history.
Missing two of their star recruits, Callum McManaman and Rudy Gestede, Big V were leaning on Marco Rojas and Robbie Kruse to make something happen, but Glory’s defence were standing firm.
The Navy Blue had only scored one goal in three games until Brimmer’s late salvo and, after securing the midfielder’s signature in the off-season, his coach heaped praise on the match-winner.
“Jake was terrific in the Champions League, I knew what type of player I was getting when I signed him,” Brebner said.
“He actually exceeded what I thought I was getting. He’s a fantastic footballer and, for him to score two goals against his old club, is obviously a really good effort from him.
“All around, we’re pleased for everybody because we did not want to be nought from three.”
He added: “We’ll get better. Callum McManaman and Rudy [Gestede], when they come back in, it takes us hopefully to another level and we become better again.”
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6226179945001
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Next fixtures – Matchweek 6
Western United v Melbourne Victory
Saturday, 30 January 2021
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI PARK
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505, ABC TV
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
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Melbourne City v Perth Glory
Sunday, 31 January 2021
Kick-off: 6.40pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast: FOX Sports 505
Stream: MyFootball Live App, Kayo Sports
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