Three-goal burst for Victory
Melbourne Victory's attacking power was on display as they thrashed the Central Coast Mariners 4-1 at AAMI Park.
Three goals in the final 15 minutes of the first half put the home side in total command and the scoreline could have been even more lopsided by the break.
A first goal for new signing from Brisbane, defender Corey Brown, helped the home side build up their big lead.
Former Sweden international Ola Toivonen came off the bench for his Victory debut and set up Josh Hope for his maiden goal for the club to round off the scoring.
The Mariners were poor and the loss leaves them at the foot of the table with just two points from their opening four games.
Kevin Muscat's side have made amends after a disappointing start to the defence of their championship which saw them lose at home to rivals Melbourne City and Perth Glory in the opening two rounds.
They have now beaten last season's Grand Finalists Newcastle Jets and the Mariners in consecutive games to climb up to fourth in the table.
The champions were ruthless from the kick-off on Sunday night, with Keisuke Honda, James Troisi and Brown scoring in a vintage first-half display.
Honda grabbed his second goal of the season to get Victory up and running, hassling Antony Golec out of possession and breaking away to score on the half-hour mark. Five minutes later, Terry Antonis played in Troisi who scored with a dinked finish.
Brown made it 3-0 in first-half injury time when he volleyed home a loose ball in the penalty area.
The Mariners pulled a goal back just after the hour mark when Mario Shabow netted from close range but the last word went to Victory in stoppage time when Hope found the net.
Central Coast are 66/1 to win the Grand Final and 11/2 to win their next game against Perth Glory, who are 9/20 with the draw 7/2.
View all Soccer betting
Melbourne Victory's attacking power was on display as they thrashed the Central Coast Mariners 4-1 at AAMI Park.
Three goals in the final 15 minutes of the first half put the home side in total command and the scoreline could have been even more lopsided by the break.
A first goal for new signing from Brisbane, defender Corey Brown, helped the home side build up their big lead.
Former Sweden international Ola Toivonen came off the bench for his Victory debut and set up Josh Hope for his maiden goal for the club to round off the scoring.
The Mariners were poor and the loss leaves them at the foot of the table with just two points from their opening four games.
Kevin Muscat's side have made amends after a disappointing start to the defence of their championship which saw them lose at home to rivals Melbourne City and Perth Glory in the opening two rounds.
They have now beaten last season's Grand Finalists Newcastle Jets and the Mariners in consecutive games to climb up to fourth in the table.
The champions were ruthless from the kick-off on Sunday night, with Keisuke Honda, James Troisi and Brown scoring in a vintage first-half display.
Honda grabbed his second goal of the season to get Victory up and running, hassling Antony Golec out of possession and breaking away to score on the half-hour mark. Five minutes later, Terry Antonis played in Troisi who scored with a dinked finish.
Brown made it 3-0 in first-half injury time when he volleyed home a loose ball in the penalty area.
The Mariners pulled a goal back just after the hour mark when Mario Shabow netted from close range but the last word went to Victory in stoppage time when Hope found the net.
Central Coast are 66/1 to win the Grand Final and 11/2 to win their next game against Perth Glory, who are 9/20 with the draw 7/2.
Source: bet365.com
Comments
This article has 0 comment(s) , give your comment