Archie Thompson scored an early goal to give Melbourne Victory a vital away win against the Brisbane Roar. Brisbane Roar: 0 Melbourne Victory: 1 (Archie Thompson '8) Venue: Suncorp Stadium Crowd: 9,904
The visitors made their intentions clear early when skipper Kevin Muscat played a long ball from the defensive part of the pitch into the path of Archie Thompson who tried to flick a bouncing ball over the head of Roar goalkeeper Griffin McMaster but the advancing shot-stopper managed to thwart the forward foray.
In the 8th minute, the Victory went ahead when former Roar striker Robbie Kruse won a free-kick on the right flank and some quick thinking from Carlos Hernandez saw Thompson diving forward to connect with a low header which gave McMaster no chance.
The home side responded well after conceding an early goal and almost equalised four minutes later on two occasions including a penalty area scramble and a wayward Matt McKay shot from close range but the Victory held out and kept their noses in front.
The remainder of the first half was an even affair with both sides toiling hard to get forward and neither keeper having a whole lot to do.
Around the 40-minute mark, the Victory produced a well-constructed attacking move which ended with a poor Evan Berger touch that gave Roar's McMaster enough to smother his shot and keep his side in the game.
Right on the stroke of half-time, Roar veteran Danny Tiatto hit a searing 35-yard free-kick goal ward but young Victory shot-stopper Mitch Langerak was equal to the task and fisted the ball away to safety.
Ten minutes after the break, the returning Henrique, who was substituted on at half-time, almost made an immediate impact when he broke down the right flank and sent a pinpoint cross to Sergio van Dijk but the Dutchman could only direct his header straight at Langerak.
Brisbane had more of the play in the second half but the Victory were holding firm until defender Josh McCloughan headed home from a corner but referee Ben Williams disallowed the goal because Roar skipper Craig Moore was adjudged to have made contact with Langerak, the decision giving Melbourne a life and keeping them in front.
Henrique was causing trouble for the Victory late in the piece with marauding runs down the flanks but his efforts were to no avail as the Melbourne defence kept clearing the Roar's advances. With a minute remaining, the Brazilian winger was sent from the pitch when he intentionally handled the ball as the last man when the Victory sent a long ball towards Thompson.
The Victory managed to keep all of Roar's advances at bay and record a vital away win that put them three points clear of 3rd-placed Gold Coast United.
