Melbourne Victory Advance to AFC Champions League Last 16 at FC Seoul's Expense

Doha, December 04 (QNA) - Melbourne Victory reached the AFC Champions League knockout stage for the second time in their history after beating FC Seoul 2-1 in the decisive Matchday Six fixture of Group E of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Thursday. With the top spot in the group secured by Beijing FC, the two sides went into the game with the knowledge that their future in the competition hung on achieving a result on the night, for Melbourne Victory that meant the three points only, while a draw would be enough for FC Seoul. Melbourne Victory came racing out of the blocks and within five minutes they had opened the scoring through Marco Rojas. The New Zealand international was sent through on goal by Callum McManaman and kept his composure to finish past goalkeeper Yang Han-been for the Australian sides opener. FC Seoul responded with a series of quick attacks, coming close to finding the equalizer on two occasions inside the opening quarter of an hour, first Hwan Hyun-soo heading just wide then minutes later Yun Young-sun seeing his header caught by goalkeeper Max Crocombe. At the halfway point of the first half, Melbourne Victory were given a golden opportunity to double their advantage after McManaman was brought down inside the box. Jake Brimmer stepped up and converted from the spot to make it 2-0. Brimmer came close to doubling his own tally in the 57th minute as he took Rojas' laid off pass on the edge of the box first-time, but his lobbed attempt passed narrowly wide of the post. Soo's repeated attempts from set-pieces finally bore fruit as the FC Seoul defender beat the Australian goalkeeper to Han Seung-gyu's cross, powering in a header to half the deficit in the 64th minute. Osmar nearly brought his side that elusive equalizer four minutes after their first goal as he rose unopposed to head Hans cross, but the Spaniards attempt was saved by the Melbourne Victory goalkeeper. Needing just one more goal to qualify to the next round, FC Seoul piled on the pressure as their opponents retreated deeper and looked to see off the remainder of the match. The result means Melbourne Victory advance to the knock-out stages, setting up a round of 16 encounter with Group F winners Ulsan Hyundai, while Beijing FC had earlier learned they would be facing FC Tokyo next. (QNA)