Shane Smeltz left to rue missed penatly late in regualtion for losers.
Melbourne Victory stayed alive in the A-League championship race with a dramatic extra-time 2-1 win over Perth Glory in an elimination final in Melbourne on Friday.
Glory led through Japanese forward Ryo Nagai’s 15th minute goal up to injury time when Victory were awarded a penalty which was converted by Mark Milligan to send the playoff into extra time.
Victory, recharged from their let-off, struck four minutes into extra-time when Archie Thompson headed home from close range after a Marco Rojas cross.
It was an eventful match with Glory missing a penalty through Shane Smeltz that would have given them a 2-0 lead into the final minutes.
That was all Melbourne needed and they sent the match into extra time when referee Jarred Gillett ruled that Glory defender Steve Pantelidis had pulled Victory attacker Andrew Nabbout’s shoulder, awarded a spot-kick, and sent Pantelidis off.
Milligan slotted home the equaliser to hand Melbourne their lifeline.
Melbourne Victory will now face Central Coast Mariners in a semi-final next weekend in Gosford.
Adelaide United and champions Brisbane Roar play the other elimination final in Adelaide on Sunday with the winner to face Western Sydney Wanderers in the semi-finals.
COMMENTS