Melbourne Victory have kept their chances of hosting a home elimination final open after a smash and grab 2-0 win against Western Sydney at Commbank Stadium.
After a first half bereft of big chances, Santos and Nikos Vergos found the back of the net in the second half to earn an important three points for the Victory.
Victory’s Jack Warshawsky was the busier of the two keepers in the first half, making three saves including a strong denial of Brandon Borrello from inside the penalty area.
Denis Genreau had the best chance of the first half, coming within centimetres of scoring with a lob from range over Wanderers keeper Jordan Holmes, who had been caught out of position while stopping a Santos chance.
However the effort struck the post and Anthony Pantazopoulos cleared the danger.
19-year-old Atiya Waraga had the ball in the back of the net after Bozhidar Kraev’s cross did for Borrello and Jason Davidson in the air, however a VAR review ruled the goal out for offside.
Victory hit the front through Santos in the 71st minute, the Brazilian winger dispossessing Angus Thurgate in his own half before running all the way to goal himself and slotting it past Holmes at the near post.
There was a scary moment in the 75th minute when Alex Gersbach fell to the ground after copping a ball to the face from close range.
The dazed Wanderers left back needed to be withdrawn immediately with a concussion substitution.
The Wanderers grew increasingly frustrated in their search for an equaliser, Ryan Fraser and Dylan Scicluna both hitting the woodwork within 10 seconds of each other in the 85th minute.
Vergos was introduced as an injury-time substitute and immediately doubled Victory’s lead, the Greek striker’s shot being deflected past the keeper by Nathan Barrie’s attempted block.
The win moves Victory up to third for now, but whatever the result in Adelaide vs Melbourne City is will bring them to fourth place at best, then a win for Sydney FC over Auckland FC tomorrow would pull them back down to fifth.
This match marks the end of Western Sydney’s season and Gary van Egmond’s final match as Wanderers manager.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Melbourne Victory goal: Santos 71′
Melbourne Victory goal: Vergos 92′
