Australia NewsVictory's Asian Dream Is Over |
MELBOURNE Victory's hopes of making the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League have been dashed after a 2-0 loss away to Gamba Osaka put them out of contention in Group G.
A goal in each half from Masato Yamazaki sees the J-League side seven points clear of Victory with two matches remaining. The 2006-07 Hyundai A-League champions can no longer finish top of the group and get through to the next stage.
It wasn't the same thrilling style of game as the two shared at the Telstra Dome a fortnight ago but Gamba Osaka deserved the three points after creating more chances on a wet night at Expo 70 Stadium. Yasuhito Endo controlled the game from the midfield, playing a major role in both goals and while neither of the Brazilians, Bare or Lucas, were able to get on the scoresheet, Yamazaki did the job twice.
Gamba Osaka had the better chances in the first 30 minutes with Lucas and Yamazaki both shooting over from distance while up the other end Melbourne got plenty of the ball in the forward areas, without creating any clear openings.
It was only a matter of time before Endo's clever passing created something and on 31 minutes, he started a move with an exchange with Bare and ended it by supplying a great cross for Yamazaki to slot home from close range.
Melbourne responded with their first serious test of back-up goalkeeper Naoki Matsuyo, a long-range effort from Billy Celeski which went just over.
The game opened up late in the half and soon after Bare was denied by Michael Theoklitos' intervention when one-on-one with the Melbourne keeper, Allsopp rattled the cross bar from close range.
Tom Pondeljak made his first appearance for Victory in place of Kaz Patafta in the second half and made an immediate impact, forcing a save from Matsuyo. Matthew Kemp then broke down the right and beat two defenders and the goalkeeper but couldn't find the net from a tight angle.
But Endo inserted himself into the game again to all but kill off the contest on 57 minutes. The Japanese international's well-taken free kick found Yamazaki at the far post and he steered the ball past Theoklitos.
Osaka looked the team most likely to score in the final half hour, with Bare's cracking 72nd-minute drive going just wide, while Yamazaki's quest for a hat-trick was denied by Theoklitos shortly after. Substitute Shu Kurata also missed a great chance late in the game but the hosts still comfortably took the points and a stranglehold on the group.
Gamba Osaka 2 (Yamazaki 31, 57)
Melbourne Victory 0
at Expo 70 Stadium, Osaka
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