Melbourne Victory’s slim hopes of enjoying finals soccer stay alive after a preventing show in Wellington secured them back-to-back wins for the primary time this season.
Down 1-0 with a little bit greater than half an hour remaining at Sky Stadium on Saturday, the Victory hit again with targets from striker Bruno Fornaroli and defender Damien Da Silva to safe a 2-1 win.
Da Silva’s winner made amends for his first-half error that allowed the Phoenix’s returning Polish striker Oskar Zawada to offer the hosts the lead.
The Phoenix had probabilities to extend their lead, however midfield pair Jan Sasse and Steven Ugarkovic have been each denied by sensible saves from Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo.
Izzo’s very good type appeared to encourage the guests, who then scored the 2 targets wanted to upset a Phoenix aspect whose coach Ufuk Talay has been linked with a transfer to the Victory subsequent season.
Victory captain Josh Brillante hailed the efficiency of Izzo.
“Paulie’s a top-class goalkeeper, and sometimes that’s what you need in games, someone like him,” Brillante informed Sky Sports New Zealand.
“He keeps you in the game, and like today, he was able to keep the ball out (of the net) in the second half, and we were able to put two away, which gave us the win.”
It’s a win that has moved the battling Victory to 24 factors forward of Wednesday evening’s completion of their derby match towards Melbourne City, which is able to recommence within the twenty first minute with City main 1-0.
While the Victory’s hopes of ending within the high six aren’t completely in their very own arms such has been their largely disappointing season, Brillante stated his aspect had not given up hope of that includes within the finals sequence.
“I don’t think you’d see us playing like this if we didn’t believe in ourselves, and we’ve shown in the past few games the quality we have, so we’re storming home now,” Brillante stated.
Izzo echoed the emotions of his skipper.
“We got written off a couple of weeks ago but we keep on grabbing points, so if we keep this momentum going, the belief is only going to grow more and more,” the gloveman stated.
“We’ve got a game against City midweek now, and what a way to make another statement.”
As for his personal efficiency, Izzo stated he had a “big role to play” after the Victory went into half-time trailing 1-0.
“I said in my head there was going to be maybe one, two or three moments where I had to stand up, so I just kept that focus and fortunately I was switched on enough to make those saves.”
Source: www.news.com.au
