Secured! Win Ensures Spot in Isuzu UTE A-League Finals with Socceroo Stars Shining Before Popa

Melbourne Victory will officially compete in the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Finals Series following their 2-1 victory against Macarthur Bulls on Friday night.

Last season’s Grand Finalists, Victory secured their place in the top six at the expense of Macarthur, thanks to first-half strikes from Ryan Teague and Kasey Bos on ANZAC Day, with only one round left in the regular season.

With Subway Socceroos coach Tony Popovic and Young Socceroos manager Trevor Morgan observing from the stands, Australian international Teague showcased his brilliance upon returning from injury by giving the visitors the lead in the fourth minute.

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Victory’s full-back Bos then capped off a brilliant team effort by scoring nine minutes before the interval, leading the visitors to their first win in Campbelltown since December 2022 and eliminating Macarthur from finals contention.

Arthur Diles’ Victory now sit third on the ladder ahead of this weekend’s matches, just two points behind second-placed Melbourne City, while being a point clear of Western United and two ahead of Western Sydney Wanderers.

As for the Bulls, this defeat leaves them four points adrift of the top six with just one match remaining.

Victory, who were without their injured goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, set the tone early on the road, with Teague’s spectacular goal opening the scoring in just four minutes.

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Positioned on the edge of the penalty area, the Socceroo connected with Zinedine Machach’s layoff and curled the ball past a stranded Filip Kurto into the top corner.

Macarthur struggled to create opportunities in the opening 12 minutes, but as the half progressed, they began to generate some chances, with Jake Hollman’s shot in the 21st minute flashing just wide of the target.

Hollman went even closer to equalising in the 35th minute, hitting the crossbar with a powerful half-volley.

However, football is about fine margins, and moments later, Victory extended their lead through Bos. A lovely team effort saw Daniel Arzani’s precise pass find Machach, who delivered a rabona cross that was flicked on by Nishan Velupillay for Bos to finish into the corner of the net.

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Eight minutes into the second half, Marin Jakolis nearly found the back of the net for Macarthur as his deflected effort caused chaos, but Jack Duncan managed to save the day with a low diving stop to deflect the shot over the bar.

Macarthur’s coach Mile Sterjovski brought on in-form striker Harrison Sawyer from the bench, and he nearly made an impact on the hour mark, directing a header agonisingly wide of the post.

Sawyer attempted again shortly after, but Duncan pulled off an incredible save to deny him, and although Sawyer hit the post on the rebound, the effort was ruled out for offside.

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Macarthur did pull a goal back with 22 minutes remaining, courtesy of former Victory player Ikonomidis. The visitors were caught out on the break, allowing Jakolis to find an unmarked Ikonomidis, who slotted the ball past Duncan.

In the 85th minute, Macarthur almost drew level, but they saw their shot dramatically cleared off the line.