Melbourne Victory blitzed Brisbane Roar with a 4-0 win over the league leaders at AAMI Park.
Victory could not have begun more brightly with Fahid Ben Khalfallah opening the scoring in the fifht minute. A turnover from the Roar defence just outside the box saw Gui Finkler gain possession, setting up Khalfallah who put away his third of the season.
Six minutes later the home side had doubled their advantage, courtesy of Kosta Barbarouses pouncing on a poor Hervas pass in defence. The Kiwi international beat a Roar defender to score his third goal of the season.
At the half-hour mark Barbarouses had his second for the night. Gui Finkler floated a perfectly weight cross onto the head of the waiting Barbarouses, who nodded it past an outstretched Jamie Young.
Although the Roar started the second half the better of the two sides, they were unable to convert translate these chances into goals.
Victory, meanwhile, went about scoring their fourth. Finkler’s free kick fell to Matthieu Delpierre who, with acres of space and plenty of time, hit the post. Khalfallah was able to retrieve the rebound and play it to Berisha.
The win is incredibly important for the Victory, with the Melbourne side finally getting the goals it so desperately needed with a performance to match.
Melbourne Victory
Danny Vukovic – 6: Made a few saves but was otherwise untroubled.
Stefan Nigro – 8: An excellent debut for the youth team player. Kept Thomas Broich very quiet.
Dylan Murnane – 6: Did what he had to do, a decent performance.
Leigh Broxham – 6: Did well in the centre of defence and at full back once Nick Ansell came on.
Matthieu Delpierre – 6.5: Was great defensively and even had a chance to score.
Rashid Mahazi – 7: Showed leadership in the midfield. Was solid as the defensive screen to the back four.
Oliver Bozanic – 7: Worked hard in the midfield yet again. Passed the ball well.
Gui Finkler – 7.5: A good game from the Brazillian, played subtle roles in most of the goals. Was replaced in the 73rd minute.
Kosta Barbarouses – 8.5: Back at his brilliant best. Was a constant threat down the flank and provided two very important goals.
Fahid Ben Khalfallah – 7.5: Opened the scoring and provided the assist for the fourth goal. A more familiar performance from the Tunisian.
Besart Berisha – 7.5: Livened up in the second half. Scored Victory’s fourth and was involved in lots of runs and chances.
Substitutes
Nick Ansell – 6: Replaced Stefan Nigro in the 63rd minute. More valuable experience for the defender as he returns from injury.
Archie Thompson – 7: Took the field in the 73rd minute, ensured Victory were attacking until the end.
Jesse Makarounas – N/A: Replaced Khalfallah in the 82nd minute.
Brisbane Roar
Jamie Young – 6: Was simply beaten but wouldn’t have been happy with his defenders coughing up possession in dangerous areas which led to the goals.
Daniel Bowles – 5: Could not contend with the clinical nature of Victory’s attackers.
Jade North – 5: Victory’s attackers got the better of North and Bowles.
Shane Stefanutto – 5: Tried to keep Barbarouses quiet but was often bested by the Kiwi. Picked up his fifth yellow card for the season which will see him miss next week.
Jack Hingert – 5: A decent shift, nothing particularly worthy of note.
Javier Hervas – 4: Had a role to play in Victory’s opening two goals. A nightmarish game for the Spaniard.
Corona – 6: Showed moments of class in the centre of the park.
Matt McKay – 5: Replaced in the 61st minute, wasn’t very influential during his time on the pitch.
Thomas Broich – 5.5: Could not find his way past Nigro in that first half. A generally quiet performance from the German.
Jean Carlos Solorzano – 5: Subbed off just not long after the restart, very quiet match. Just could not beat the Victory defence.
Henrique – 6.5: Brisbane’s most consistent threat up forward. Was subbed off in the 77th minute.
Substitutes
Steven Lustica – 5: Came on for McKay, was decent.
Shannon Brady – N/A: Replaced Henrique in the 77th minute.
Dimitri Petratos – 6: Replaced Solorzano in the 56th minute. Tried to get the team going but couldn’t manufacture anything.
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