Socceroos pair fire Victory past Roar in ALM

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Socceroos pair ***** Victory past Roar in ALM

Melbourne Victory duo Nishan Velupillay and Jason Geria will head into Socceroos camp on a high after both scored in the A-League Men leaders’ 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar.

Velupillay netted in the 37th minute off the back of brilliant lead-up work from Reno Piscopo, with Geria heading home in the 76th minute.

Patrick Kisnorbo’s Victory (3-1-0) now sit top of the table, at least for now, after four games.

Ten points is the most they have claimed in an opening month since 2014-15, when they ultimately won the double under Kevin Muscat.

Kisnorbo named an unchanged line-up and for a second consecutive game, left Bruno Fornaroli out of his squad altogether,

The veteran Socceroo’s Victory career appears precariously placed given Kisnorbo’s preference for Nikos Vergos and Jing Reec as his first and second-choice strikers.

While the Roar had more possession, Victory dominated the early chances.

Jason Geria had an early header blocked and shortly after, Ryan Teague’s low, skidding free kick deflected just wide of the far post

Victory screamed for a handball in the seventh minute when a shot hit Hosine Bility in the arm, but it was seemingly ruled to be in a natural position.

Victory burst to life when Piscopo took possession on the left, danced around Bility and cut the ball back – nutmegging Roar defender Ben Warland – for Velupillay to tap home with the outside of his boot.

The Roar started to find their feet after the goal and in the 45th minute, Jack Duncan saved Thomas Waddingham’s close-range shot.

The second half proved a relatively dour affair, with neither team creating many chances, though Daniel Arzani kept the Roar on their toes in the final half hour, drawing plenty of fouls.

Then, Teague looped in a wonderful corner and Geria rose to power home the header before running away kissing the badge.

It was Victory’s first shot of the second half.

Brisbane, who looked relatively toothless in *******, were unable to find an opening as Victory closed the game out professionally.

Both teams will now have the international break, with Geria and Velupillay headed into camp for Australia’s games against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Victory return to action against Wellington on November 24, while last-placed Brisbane (0-0-3) will chase their first win when they play Adelaide on November 23.

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