Nick Ward.

© Getty Images

Melbourne Victory has recorded its third consecutive win in convincing style to keep its slim Hyundai A-League 2008 Finals Series hopes alive, overcoming Wellington Phoenix 3-0 at Telstra Dome this evening in front of 25,489 fans.

Carlos Hernandez, Nick Ward and Kaz Patafta all registered their names on the score sheet in an impressive display, which proved Victory’s capabilities as a top four contender heading into the business end of the season.

Despite going into the match under an injury cloud, Kevin Muscat took his place in the starting 11 alongside Rodrigo Vargas and Sebastian Ryall in defence, while Ward passed a late fitness test and was cleared to play.

The third player in doubt, Danny Allsopp, failed to overcome a virus that grounded him throughout the week, but it didn’t stop Victory from pushing forward and sending a number of shots on target in search of an early goal.

Victory dominated proceedings early and Hernandez, who was relishing his role as a striker alongside Thompson, had the crossbar to blame twice as he launched two shots that appeared to have Phoenix goalkeeper Glen Moss beaten.

The first attempt on 14 minutes saw the Costa Rican international escape the Phoenix defence inside the penalty area and fire a shot from close range, which hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced back into play off the goal line.

Minutes later, Hernandez was centimetres away from scoring when he caught Moss off his line and delivered a curling shot from the left flank, only for the ball to hit the top of the crossbar and sail out for a goal kick.

Victory was relentless in its pursuit for the opening goal and Hernandez broke through on 31 minutes, calmly slotting the ball from the right side of the penalty area after receiving a scintillating pass from Ward.

Hernandez's strike saw Victory become the first team in the Hyundai A-League to register 100 goals.

Ward was in dazzling form and doubled Victory’s lead four minutes later when Caceres made his way into the penalty area and drew Moss towards the ball, before offloading to the Qantas Under 23s star, who had no trouble slotting his first goal for the club.

Hernandez was amongst the action again in the dying stages of the first half, sending a free kick in the direction of Vargas, who just missed the incoming ball as referee Peter Green brought the opening 45 minutes to a close.

The Samsung ‘Kick for a Million’ competition took place during the break, giving Adam Goodall from Thornlie, Western Australia the chance to kick from the penalty spot for $1 million.

Goodall’s shot fell short of the $1 million target, but he took home $10,000 worth of Samsung prizes as a consolation.

Phoenix didn’t register a shot on goal in the first half and came out of the dressing room looking to narrow the two goal deficit, but failed to capitalise on a number of chances, while Victory began to build momentum again at the other end.

The visitors made a number of personnel changes, introducing Brazilian midfielder Daniel and youngster Greg Draper, and welcomed a shot on target from Shane Smeltz, which tested Victory goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos for the first time on 68 minutes.

Phoenix continued to push forward in numbers, leaving holes open in defence for Thompson, Hernandez and Caceres, who was substituted for Patafta.

Steven O’Dor almost halved the margin when he headed a Phoenix corner, but the crossbar was again responsible for preventing a goal, this time sending the ball back into a goalmouth scramble.

Victory had a golden opportunity to increase the margin late in the match as Thompson, Hernandez and Patafta worked their way around the Phoenix defence once more, only for Thompson’s shot to sail high and wide of the target.

Patafta made amends less than a minute later, gaining possession of a loose ball on the edge of the penalty are a and converting his first goal for the club to the delight of the vocal Victory faithful in attendance.

Victory will now look forward to what poses as a massive clash against arch rivals Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium next Sunday, 20 January (kick off 5pm).

Victory must defeat Sydney and rely on the Central Coast Mariners and Perth Glory restricting the Newcastle Jets to one point or less in its next two matches to have a chance at reaching the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.

Should Newcastle win either its match against Central Coast (tomorrow at Bluetongue Stadium) or Perth (next Friday at EnergyAustralia Stadium), it will secure its place in the top four alongside the Mariners, Queensland Roar and Sydney.

Melbourne Victory 3 (Carlos Hernandez 31’, Nick Ward 35’, Kaz Patafta 88’)
Wellington Phoenix 0
Friday, 11 January 2008
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Referee: Peter Green
Crowd: 25,489

Melbourne Victory: 1.Michael THEOKLITOS (gk), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (Captain), 7.Matthew KEMP, 10.Archie THOMPSON, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 14.Adrian CACERES (13.Kaz PATAFTA 74’), 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ (19.Evan BERGER 90'+), 17.Daniel VASILEVSKI, 18.Leigh BROXHAM, 21.Sebastian RYALL, 22.Nick WARD (24.Steven PACE 82’)

Substitutes not used: 30.Mitchell LANGERAK (gk)

Wellington Phoenix: 20.Glen MOSS (gk), 5.Karl DODD, 6.Tim BROWN (Captain), 8.Vaughan COVENY (19.Greg DRAPER 66’), 9.Shane SMELTZ, 10.Michael FERRANTE, 14.Steven O’DOR, 16.Kristian REES, 17.Vince LIA, 18.Ahmad ELRICH (11.DANIEL 62’), 21.FELIPE

Substitutes not used: 1.Mark PASTON (gk), 2.Jeremy CHRISTIE
Yellow cards: Tim Brown 53’, Karl Dodd 63’, Felipe 90'+