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Beejayville · 12-03-2008, 12:31

Melbourne 2 (Muscat 27p, Vargas 64)
Chunnam Dragons 0
Crowd: 23,656 at Telstra Dome

Melbourne has opened its Asian Champions League campaign on a high, notching a 2-0 win over Korean FA Cup champions Chunnam Dragons in their Group G clash at Telstra Dome.

The 2006-07 Hyundai A-League champions had little trouble in getting their campaign off to a strong start, scoring a goal in each half. Kevin Muscat converted a penalty in the first half while Rody Vargas headed home to secure the three points just after the hour.

The Victory dominated from the start, with Archie Thompson causing major headaches for the Chunnam defence. But it was the Korean side who had the best early chance when Victor Simoes, fed by Lim Kwan Sik, prompted a cracking save from Michael Theoklitos on 20 minutes.

The home side wasn't deterred by that scare and continued to surge forward. The key moment came on 26 minutes when Matthew Kemp charged down the left and was brought down by Inwhan Jung just inside the box. Referee Malik Abdul Bashir pointed to the spot and Victory skipper Muscat did the rest, wrong-footing Dragons keeper Yeom Dong-Gyun. Yeom was just about the busiest man on the park in the first half, with the Victory bombarding the goalkeeper. He produced three excellent saves, one from the boot of Danny Allsopp and one from each of Thompson's foot and head to keep his side in it at the break.

On 54 minutes the first piece of frustration crept into the Dragons' game with Kim Seongjae booked for a foul on Nicky Ward.
Substitute Sandro Hiroshi tested out Theoklitos from range, but the Melbourne keeper answered everything which came his way. Victor also almost found a way past, curling a shot just wide from a tight angle just after the hour.

But the match was all but snuffed out as a contest when Vargas got forward from a set-piece and headed home Billy Celeski's free kick on 64 minutes. The defender was completely unmarked on almost on his knees when he slotted home. Allsopp netted his second offside goal of the game on 78 minutes, while Thompson spoiled two good chances. Sandro Hiroshi was then well blocked by late on Theoklitos from close range as the Victory preserved their handy two-goal advantage to the end.

12-03-2008, 12:31	#12 (permalink)
Beejayville Statistical Punter Join Date: 11 Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 4,296	Re: AFC - Asian Champions League 2008 Melbourne 2 (Muscat 27p, Vargas 64) Chunnam Dragons 0 Crowd: 23,656 at Telstra Dome Melbourne has opened its Asian Champions League campaign on a high, notching a 2-0 win over Korean FA Cup champions Chunnam Dragons in their Group G clash at Telstra Dome. The 2006-07 Hyundai A-League champions had little trouble in getting their campaign off to a strong start, scoring a goal in each half. Kevin Muscat converted a penalty in the first half while Rody Vargas headed home to secure the three points just after the hour. The Victory dominated from the start, with Archie Thompson causing major headaches for the Chunnam defence. But it was the Korean side who had the best early chance when Victor Simoes, fed by Lim Kwan Sik, prompted a cracking save from Michael Theoklitos on 20 minutes. The home side wasn't deterred by that scare and continued to surge forward. The key moment came on 26 minutes when Matthew Kemp charged down the left and was brought down by Inwhan Jung just inside the box. Referee Malik Abdul Bashir pointed to the spot and Victory skipper Muscat did the rest, wrong-footing Dragons keeper Yeom Dong-Gyun. Yeom was just about the busiest man on the park in the first half, with the Victory bombarding the goalkeeper. He produced three excellent saves, one from the boot of Danny Allsopp and one from each of Thompson's foot and head to keep his side in it at the break. On 54 minutes the first piece of frustration crept into the Dragons' game with Kim Seongjae booked for a foul on Nicky Ward. Substitute Sandro Hiroshi tested out Theoklitos from range, but the Melbourne keeper answered everything which came his way. Victor also almost found a way past, curling a shot just wide from a tight angle just after the hour. But the match was all but snuffed out as a contest when Vargas got forward from a set-piece and headed home Billy Celeski's free kick on 64 minutes. The defender was completely unmarked on almost on his knees when he slotted home. Allsopp netted his second offside goal of the game on 78 minutes, while Thompson spoiled two good chances. Sandro Hiroshi was then well blocked by late on Theoklitos from close range as the Victory preserved their handy two-goal advantage to the end.