Melbourne Victory’s pre-season campaign continued in winning ways, with the boys in blue defeating reigning Premiers Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 in Tasmania.
Melbourne Victory’s pre-season campaign continued in winning ways, with the boys in blue defeating reigning Premiers Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0 in Tasmania.
It didn’t take long for Victory to take the lead and it was 1-0 after just 12 seconds.
Archie Thompson played in Kosta Barbarouses, whose initial shot was stopped by Wanderers’ ‘keeper Ante Covic, but the ball then fell to Connor Pain who delicately played the ball to Mitch Nichols, with Nichols finding the open net with his shot.
Victory continued to dominate possession throughout the opening half and were rewarded for their persistence when Pain again played provider, delivering a great ball for Barbarouses to fire home.
The third goal was a little less conventional after a back-pass went wrong for Covic. The former Victory ‘keeper’s attempted clearance went straight into his own net – securing the Victory pre-season honours.
Melbourne Victory marquee man Pablo Contreras got his first hit-out with the club, playing 60 minutes in the pre-season clash and looked comfortable throughout. Socceroo James Troisi also made his debut for Victory, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute.
