The Wellington Phoenix have delivered a mighty upset on Sunday, knocking off the Melbourne Victory three goals to one.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Melbourne Victory 0
Wellington Phoenix 3
The Melbourne Victory host the Wellington Phoenix, boosted by the return of a host of internationals. Join The Roar for live scores, commentary and your say from 5pm AEST.
Besart Berisha, Marco Rojas, Jai Ingham and James Troisi have been named in Victory’s squad to face Wellington.
They will be looking to bounce back this week after their depleted side lost 1-0 to the Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium, before that they won three of their previous four matches.
The motivation in this one is that a draw with the Phoenix will give them a home semi-final, however it won’t be easy as Wellington’s motivation is a spot in the finals is still up for grabs.
They must overcome their poor record against the Victory away from home, where they have only won once and lost 11 times and drew three times.
They did however beat Melbourne the last time these two sides met, it was a 3-0 win at Westpac Stadium in January.
Wellington captain Andrew Durante was happy with his side’s 5-0 win over Newcastle last week.
“We felt like a performance like that (against Newcastle) was coming. I didn’t expect it to come when so many people were missing, but it’s what we’re capable of. We’ve got a big game against Victory, so hopefully we can back it up and keep our finals hopes alive,” Durante said.
For the Victory Troisi says it’s important they find form heading towards the finals.
“We want to hit our best form running into the playoffs. These games are more important than all the others. Wellington do have a chance mathematically to get into the playoffs. It’s going to be a tough game, they’re going to be up for it,” Troisi said.
Prediction
The Victory will be too good here as they march towards the finals.
Victory 2-1
Join The Roar for live scores, commentary and your say from 5pm AEST.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
That could have been, and should have been, 6:nul :)
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Full Time Victory 0 vs Phoenix 3 Full time and the Phoenix who had a poor record against the Victory at AAMI Park win this one convincingly. They keep their finals dream alive. Roly Bonevacia was superb with a double in the first half put the Phoenix in a commanding position. Shane Smeltz finished the game off late, in what was a commanding performance for the Phoenix. Thanks for your company and have a good night.
Swanny
Guest
Go Phoenix. How will Muscat blame the refs for this
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'90+3 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 3 Krishna nearly had a chance to make it four but he just can't get a handle on it.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'90+2 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 3 Into stoppage time now, the Victory will be begging for this game to end, a poor performance from them, while the Phoenix keep their finals hopes alive.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
Forgot to buy popcorn......MVFC going into meltdown, lol. Wonder what the excuses will be this week, I mean all the internationals are back in the squad, let's call a spade a spade, yeh? LMFAO.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'89 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 3 Smeltz the third time is a charm and he gets the Phoenix's third goal and that will end this one! What a performance from the Nix.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'87 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Smeltz now gets another chance but he can't finish! Phoenix burning their chances.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'85 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Smeltz now holds it too long in the six yard box, they can't put this to bed as the Victory break!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'84 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Troisi looks to place one in the bottom left but it just doesn't stay on target, I think Italiano had it covered.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'83 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Troisi and Berisha both have their chances, Krishna now on the break though could seal the deal but he pushes his shot to the left! Now an error from Donachie and Barbarouses could finish it off but he doesn't control it and now the Victory go on the attack!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'79 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Time becoming the enemy for the Victory and they are that man down, but I have seen funny things happen.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'75 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Victory still desperate here but Barbarouses might kill it off, he can't as he runs out of space, Ansell coming on for Geria.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'73 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Geria also gets a yellow so he will miss next week as well.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'72 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Time now becoming the energy for the Victory, they are controlling the play but just don't look likely at the moment. Now Bonevacia puts Barbarouses through, and he is brought down and Baro sees red! The Victory is down to 10 men.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'69 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Victory continuing to push and now Rodriguez goes into the book for a challenge on the edge of the box, it was a heavy one.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'65 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Barbarouses looking to put this game to bed, Donachie gets his body in the way and it goes out for a corner.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'62 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Game just getting bogged down at the moment as Finkler is fouled, 30 minutes to go, can the Victory work something here? They turn it over and now go on the attack but Troisi is swarmed and he now turns it over.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'58 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 Troisi tries to square it for Berisha but it is blocked, nothing comes of the corner. Kevin Muscat quite visibly frustrated on the sideline.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'56 Victory 0 vs Phoenix 2 A yellow for Veleri a bit of a hard challenge there in midfield.