Robbie Kruse has put his hand up for a Hyundai A-League return with a brace in Melbourne Victory’s 3-0 National Youth League win over Perth Glory at Clipsal Stadium on Sunday.
Kruse helped the Victory break the game open midway through the first half with impressive goals at the 28 and 33-minute marks after an even opening to the contest on a warm Sunday in Perth.
Melbourne continued the momentum from the Kruse goals and dominated the second half with Nathan Elasi also putting his hand up for Ernie Merrick with an impressive strike in the 72nd minute to ensure the Victory’s win.
As well as Kruse and Elasi, the Victory had Evan Berger and Nick Ward from their senior squad who put in encouraging displays. The Glory, meanwhile, gave Eugene Dadi, Scott Bulloch, Andrija Jukic, Howard Fondyke and ‘keeper Aleks Vrteski a run on the park, with Bullock and Fondyke putting their best foot forward.
Both teams had plenty of opportunities in the first 22 minutes with Perth’s Bulloch, and Melbourne’s Berger and Elasi all shooting wide. Victory captain Aziz Behich then had a superb opportunity when he was one-on-one with Vrteski, but his strike was well saved.
The blown chances came to an end soon after when Kruse had a five-minute purple patch. His first goal came at the 28th minute when he took control of a scrap in the box and put the ball past Vrteski.
His second was then a classy strike on his left boot that gave Vrteski no chance whatsoever. He had a third opportunity just before half-time when he was alone with the ‘keeper, but elected to pass instead of shoot and nothing came of it.
Perth had its first real chance on goal in the second half through Fondyke, but his powerful strike from long range was wonderfully saved by Melbourne ‘keeper Mitch Langerak.
It was all Melbourne from there with Elasi having one solid strike saved by Perth’s replacement goalkeeper Alex Pearson, but Elasi then gave him no chance of stopping his next shot in the 72nd minute.
The Victory kept pushing with Kruger sending a couple more shots wide and then Berger making great contact only for Pearson to push it just over the crossbar. In the end, it was a deserved 3-0 victory for Melbourne who created more chances and handled the ball with greater surety.
The Glory remain in Perth to take on Sydney FC at ME Bank Stadium next Sunday, while the Victory stays on the road to play the Brisbane Roar at Ballymore Stadium also on Sunday.
Perth Glory 0
Melbourne Victory 3 (Kruse 28, 33, Elasi 72)
@ Clipsal Stadium, Perth
