Perth emerged glorious against Victory in round two thanks to a late Chris Ikonomidis strike deep into extra time at AAMI Park.
Perth Glory’s early double salvo from Joel Chianese and Andy Keogh was cancelled out by Terry Antonis and a late Storm Roux header, but Ikonomidis was Glory’s hero, marking his starting debut with a 94th minute winner.
It marks the first time since 2012 that Perth have secured back to back wins over Melbourne Victory.
Early in the game, Joel Chianese was first to a messy scrap in Victory’s box to slam it past Lawrence Thomas in goal, propelling Glory into a commanding lead early just eight minutes in.
The lead was doubled in the 23rd minute when Tomislav Mrcela’s headed clearance close to the halfway line was met by Andy Keogh’s run who lobbed it past a stranded Thomas.
Despite the disastrous start, the 17,219 strong home side remained in strong voice, peppering their chants with “F*ck the FFA” & “F*ck the VAR”.
Kosta Barbarouses had the opportunity to mark his milestone 100th A-League appearance for Victory with a goal but he was left longing as his shot from outside the box sailed over Liam Reddy’s goal in the 35th minute meaning the home team went into the sheds 2-0 down.
Victory started the second half with an aggressive attacking approach and it paid off almost instantly with Terry Antonis getting a goal back only two minutes after the break: cracking a shot off the inside post to beat an outstretched Reddy.
They were almost on level terms mid-way through the second term when Keisuke Honda’s stinging shot in the brought out the game’s best save, as Reddy got down low to deny the Japanese marquee.
But the home team finally equalised when Storm Roux ascended the highest to head home a peach-perfect corner from Honda with only three minutes remaining.
We're level at @AAMIPark! #MVCvPER 2-2 #ALeague @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/ijiVRM6S1w
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) October 28, 2018
But it was Perth Glory who had the last laugh in this tense encounter. Lawrence Thomas pulled off a heroic reaction save late four minutes into extra time but Ikonomidis finished emphatically from close range.
Perth Glory needed a hero.
Step forward, Chris Ikonomidis.
🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/72LODh3008
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) October 28, 2018
Victory started in a similar fashion last season, pencilling losses their opening two games.
Melbourne Victory will next face Ernie Merrick’s Newcastle Jets away at the McDonald Jones Stadium on November 3rd.
Melbourne Victory 2 (Terry Antonis ’47, Storm Roux ’87)
Perth Glory 3 (Joel Chianese, ’8 Andy Keogh ’23, Christopher Ikonomidis 90+3′)
AAMI Park
Referee: Jonathan BARREIRO
Assistant Referees: Wilson BROWN & Tony PEART
Fourth Official: Lachlan KEEVERS
VAR : Kristian GRIFFTHS-JONES
Melbourne Victory : 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 3. Corey BROWN, 5. Georg NIEDERMEIER (14. Thomas DENG ’75) , 22. Nick ANSELL, 2. Storm ROUX, 15. Raul BAENA (21. Carl VALERI ’79) , 8. Terry ANTONIS , 4. Keisuke HONDA (C), 10. James TROISI, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 7. Kenny ATHIU (23. Jai INGHAM 57′)
Unused Subs: 1. Matthew ACTON (GK), 6. Leigh BROXHAM
Perth Glory : 33. Liam REDDY (GK), 2. Alexander GRANT, 3. Jason DAVIDSON, 4. Shane LOWRY, 5. Ivan FRANJIC (23. Scott NEVILLE ’81) 7. Joel CHIANESE, 88. Niel KILKENNY (15. Brandon WILSON ’88) 9. Andrew KEOGH (C) (22. Fabio FERREIRA ’78), 16. Tomislav MRCELA, 19. Christopher IKONOMODIS, 27. JUANDE
Unused Subs : 1. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 20. Jake BRIMMER
Feature image credit: Ngau Kai Yan
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