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The champagne is on ice for Melbourne Victory after their 1-0 win over a second-string Brisbane Roar as good as sealed the A-League Premiership.
Mark Milligan’s controversial first-half penalty on Saturday night was enough to keep Victory on top of the ladder with a three-point buffer and just one round remaining.
>>>Read how the action unfolded in our live blog.
Victory are poised to be presented the Premier’s Plate following next Sunday’s final regular season game against Central Coast at AAMI Park.
The only way Kevin Muscat’s side can lose from here is if the Mariners spring a huge upset and Sydney FC defeat Wellington in Sunday’s other match at Westpac Stadium by a margin wide enough to erase Melbourne’s hefty +7 edge in goal difference.
Victory’s task at Suncorp Stadium was seemingly made easier when the Roar – with a nod to Tuesday night’s AFC Champions League tie against Beijing Guoan in China – unveiled an almost unrecognisable line-up peppered with youth team players.
Thomas Broich, Matt McKay, Luke Brattan, James Donachie and Devante Clut were not considered for selection, while Corey Brown (back), Andrija Kaludjerovic (ankle), Jack Hingert (flu) and Brandon Borrello (knee) were also ruled out.
Defenders Luke DeVere (quad) and Shane Stefanutto (calf) have succumbed to likely season-ending injuries, and there is no end in sight for goalkeeper Michael Theo’s battle with a groin complaint.
In their stead, coach Frans Thijssen handed starts to Shannon Brady, Patrick Theodore, Lachlan Jackson and George Lambadaridis, with 18-year-old debutants Abrahim Yango and Luke Pavlou named on the bench.
But their inexperience didn’t make the night any more straightforward for the visitors.
Brisbane hit the woodwork twice in the opening half and did a gallant job of holding Victory at bay – until referee Ben Williams awarded a controversial penalty just moments before the interval.
Acting on the advice of linesman Matthew Cream, Williams blew when Carl Valeri appeared to have been brought down by Lambadaridis while shooting from the edge of the six-yard box.
Replays, however, showed no firm evidence of contact from Lambadaridis, revealing Valeri fell over after kicking the turf – much to the disgust of the 11,582-strong crowd.
Milligan expertly converted the spot kick, but Melbourne could have taken the lead much earlier had Fahid Ben Khalfallah showed the same poise with any of his three excellent first half chances.
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