Melbourne Victory has hit the top of the A-League ladder for the first time this season after easing to a 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in front of more than 16,000 fans at AAMI Park.
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Finkler hands Victory A-League win
A delightful Gui Finkler brace has put Melbourne Victory back on top of the A-League.
This was a game that was effectively over after 19 minutes thanks to two inspirational plays by Victory's Brazilian midfielder Gui Finkler. Matthew Sim's 89th minute goal ensured a few nervous moments at the end, but Victory dealt comfortably with the late challenge.
Finkler's first goal came when he linked up with midfield colleague Oliver Bozanic in a delightful one-two on the edge of the Central Coast penalty area.
The latter flicked a return pass to the Brazilian, who continued his run to fire past goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
That was in the 16th minute, and the second came shortly afterwards when he struck from a free kick.
Finkler was himself fouled when he passed to Daniel Georgievski in the build-up, but referee Ben Williams waved play on as the full back galloped down the flank. It was only when Georgievski's run was brought to a crashing end by another illegal challenge that Finkler came back into the fray.
He and Socceroo midfielder Oliver Bozanic stood over the ball before Finkler stepped forward and struck a beautifully directed delivery around the wall.
The tall South American has added to the impressive collection of goals he has scored during his three years with Victory.
"He's a really smart player. He knew when I passed to him that I was going to make a run forward," Finkler said of his combination with Bozanic for the opening goal. Of the free kick, he explained: "I saw the goalkeeper was really wide (in his goalmouth) so said to Ollie that I will have a go this time."
Surely his well-demonstrated expertise with a dead ball can only strengthen his case for consideration as one of the three foreigners Victory is allowed to play during the Asian Champions League next year. In Victory's last ACL campaign, in 2014, Finkler was left out as each club is only allowed to play three non Asian players in the tournament.
Muscat opted last night to rest marksman Besart Berisha, giving a starting A-League debut to teenage English striker George Howard, while captain Carl Valeri was also absent through injury.
The 19-year-old was involved with the Sheffield United academybefore his family emigrated to Australia five years ago. Since then the youngster had developed his game in Victoria's state and NPL divisions before joining Victory's youth side last season, where he scored nine goals.
He couldn't manage to get on the scoresheet in this match, but it was a useful introduction to the professional game.
Not that this was too rigorous a test for Howard or his teammates despite the last few moments following Sim's goal.
After a low key start – perhaps not surprising following their exertions in that scintillating 4-2 win in Sydney last Saturday – Victory flexed their muscles in that five-minute period to effectively put the game to bed.
The Mariners have pledged this season to be the game's entertainers, coach Tony Walmsley putting his faith in a number of younger, exciting players, encouraging them to attack.
They do leave themselves open, however, and on numerous occasions the Victory midfield were given plenty of time and space to set up attacking moves.
The Mariners produced a few moments of their own. Veteran midfielder Nick Montgomery made space well for himself with a fine individual shot early in the second half, and Sim's goal gave them brief hope although they never looked like grabbing an unlikely leveller.
Mariners main striker Roy O'Donovan's most telling action was to make a late studs-up challenge on Leigh Broxham, which left the Victory man writhing in agony. It was the sort of tackle that most times will produce a red card, but Williams was content to show the Irishman only a yellow.