Melbourne Victory’s new-look attacking duo of Bruno Fornaroli and Fernando Romero have struck to ship a 2-Zero win over Central Coast and revive their ailing A-League Males season.
Fornaroli’s chip within the 16th minute gave Victory the higher hand earlier than Romero notched his first ALM purpose within the 55th in entrance of a sparse crowd at AAMI Park.
Romero’s day was soured when he was despatched off for a studs-up sort out within the 66th minute whereas within the 82nd minute, the Mariners had been awarded a penalty which was contentiously chalked off after a VAR assessment.
Victory stays backside of the desk however simply six factors outdoors the finals locations with 5 video games, plus their to-be-resumed Christmas Melbourne derby, to play.
The Mariners, who have not received in Victoria since 2014, sit fourth and 6 factors outdoors the highest two.
Tony Popovic began Fornaroli and Romero collectively for the primary time and Victory drew first blood when Roderick Miranda lifted a protracted cross-field ball into the trail of Fornaroli.
The Socceroo wrapped his boot across the ball and lofted it first-time over Danny Vukovic’s head and into the purpose.
The Mariners began the second half with larger depth and Moresche headed over the bar within the 49th minute.
Victory doubled their lead 5 minutes later.
Damien Da Silva picked out Chris Ikonomidis with a stunning cross-field ball and the winger burst alongside the purpose line earlier than chopping it again for Romero to bury on the close to publish.
4 minutes later, Mariners striker Jason Cummings teed up Moresche however the Brazilian fired off track.
Victory went down a person when Romero caught Max Balard with a studs-up sort out to the shin within the 63rd minute and after a VAR assessment, referee Jonathan Barreiro gave the Paraguayan a straight purple card.
It was the 42nd purple card of the ALM season – a league document.
Central Coast had been awarded a penalty when Da Silva was dominated to have introduced down Marco Tulio within the 79th minute however after a VAR assessment, Barreiro overturned it.
Victory defended staunchly from there to see out the sport.
