Staff writer

7 years ago

Victory bow out of ACL after crushing loss in Korea

Melbourne Victory have bowed out of the 2018 Asian Champions League following a disappointing 6-2 loss to Ulsan Hyundai on Wednesday night.

Needing a point to keep their chances of progression alive, Victory’s hopes were all but dashed inside 20 minutes after a horror start in Korea.

A shocking error from goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas gifted the hosts the opener before Lim Jong-Eun doubled Ulsan’s advantage less than 10 minutes later.

And the Korean outfit sealed the result just before half-time with Mislav Orsic netting a superb strike before Kim Seung-Jun made it 4-0 early in the second half.

Junior netted his second of the game to make it 5-0 before quick-fire goals to Kenny Athiu and Kosta Barbarouses reduced the deficit for Victory.

But it proved little consolation as Orsic completed his brace with just over 15 minutes remaining to put the stamp on a dominant performance for Ulsan.

STORY OF THE GAME

  • CAGEY START: Both teams struggled to maintain possession in slippery conditions
  • GOAL! A horror error from Lawrence Thomas gifts Ulsan the lead on 12 minutes.
  • GOAL! Neat play down the right flank sees Lim Jong-Eun double the Korean’s lead in the 20th minute.
  • POST! Ulsan almost made it 3-0 less than two minutes later with Hwang Il-Su striking the post from a tight angle.
  • GOAL! Orsic reacted quickest to a rebound and unleashed a superb strike to extend Ulsan’s advantage.
  • HALF-TIME: A horror opening half for Victory as Kevin Muscat’s side head into break down 3-0.
  • POST! Hwang Il-Su hits the post again from close range.
  • GOAL! : Kim Seung-Jun fired Ulsan further ahead with a tidy finish from a rebound.
  • SAVE: Lawrence Thomas produced a superb save to deny Junior a fifth for Ulsan
  • GOAL! Junior gets his reward with a header after a brilliant ball from Lee Myung-Jae.
  • GOAL! Victory pull one back in the 72nd minute with Kenny Athiu netting his first goal for the Big V.
  • GOAL! Victory score again just two minutes later as they make it 5-2 through Kosta Barbarouses.
  • GOAL! Orsic fired Ulsan 6-2 up in the 75th minute with a deflected strike.
  • SAVE: Thomas produced another impressive save to limit the damage.
  • MISS: Kim In-sung fired over with only Thomas to beat. Should have been seven.
  • FULL-TIME: An unhappy night for Victory as they fall to a 6-2 loss in Korea. 

1-0 Ulsan Hyundai: Junior, 12’

Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas failed to deal with a back pass with his attempted clearance ricocheting off Junior and into the back of the net.

2-0 Ulsan Hyundai: Lim Jong Eun, 20’

Hwang Il-Su found space down the right flank and whipped in a dangerous cross which was expertly guided home by Lim Jong-Eun,  

3-0 Ulsan Hyundai: Mislav Orsic, 38’

The Croatian reacted quickest to a rebound before unleashing a thumping strike from the top of the box which arrowed off the post and into the back of the net.

4-0 Ulsan Hyundai: Kim Seung-Jun, 55’

Windbichler played Kim in behind with the attacker firing home at the second attempt after his original effort was blocked.

5-0 Ulsan Hyundai: Junior, 67’

Lee Myung-Jae delivered a superb ball into the box with Junior rising highest to bury a clinical header.

5-1 Melbourne Victory: Kenny Athiu, 72’

Kosta Barbarouses found space in the box and fired a low ball across the face which was turned home by Athiu.

5-2 Melbourne Victory, Kosta Barbarouses, 74’

The Victory winger pounced on a poor clearance from Ulsan, unleashing a powerful first-time volley under the helpless Oh Seong-Hoon.

6-2 Ulsan Hyundai, Mislav Orsic, 75’

The Croatian wriggled clear on the edge of the box before firing a strike which took a wicked deflection, leaving Lawrence Thomas with no chance.

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