Melbourne Victory thrash Brisbane Roar with Kosta Barbarouses brace

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:06 am
Kosta Barbarouses celebrates one of his goals for Melbourne Victory against Brisbane Roar with Oliver Bozanic.
Graham Denholm/Getty Images

A-League leaders Brisbane Roar suffered a shock 4-0 defeat at Melbourne Victory on Friday.

Victory were two goals up inside the first 11 minutes as they blew Brisbane away. The first came in the fifth minute, Gui Finkler setting up Fahid Ben Khalfallah who finished superbly with only goalkeeper Jamie Young to beat.

The second goal was a disaster for Javier Hervas, who was making his first start for the club. He attempted to play a backpass across to box to Young, but only succeeded in teeing up Kosta Barbarouses for his first of the night.

Barely half an hour had been played before it was three, Finkler again the provider as his chip allowed Barbarouses to head home.

The rout was complete in the 52nd minute, Matthieu Delpierre's shot hit the post but the loose ball fell to Ben Khalfallah who unselfishly squared to Besart Berisha to score. 

The Roar remain a point clear of Western Sydney Wanderers, who will take over at the top if they avoid defeat at home to fourth-placed Sydney FC on Saturday.

The win sees the Victory stay in fifth place, but they are now just four points off the summit.