Melbourne Victory have progressed through to next week's semi-final in dramatic fashion, recording a 2-1 win thanks to a late Besart Berisha stunner at AAMI Park.
With the match in the balance, the stage was set for big game specialist Berisha as he delivered the knock out blow with a stunning overhead kick in the dying embers of the contest to break Adelaide hearts.
Kevin Muscat made six changes from the side that defeated Shanghai SIPG in their final Asian Champions League match on Wednesday, with Leroy George, Berisha, Lawrence Thomas, James Troisi, Kosta Barbarouses and skipper Carl Valeri all returning to the starting line-up after being rested for the mid-week match.
The do-or-die nature of the encounter meant both sides began in cagey fashion with chances at a premium.
Victory's man of the moment George found a brief moment of joy before being brilliantly quelled by Reds defender Ben Garuccio after the home side broke at pace in what was overall a dour opening 45 minutes.
It was the third time the Victory haven’t conceded a shot on target in the first half; two of those funnily enough coming against Adelaide.
12 minutes into the second half the visitors drew first blood through Nikola Mileusnic after the Reds caught the Victory defence napping with a quick free kick.
The well weight ball by Isaias Sanchez fell into the path of the attacking midfielder who had the simplest task of poking it past the on coming Lawrence Thomas.
MILEUSNIC!!!! ADELAIDE TAKE THE LEAD!!! #MVCvADL #ALeagueFinals pic.twitter.com/YX7begE9GQ
— TEN Sport (@tensporttv) April 22, 2018
Six minutes later the Victory found the vital equaliser through their talisman George who nodded the ball home from close range after an inviting cross from Barbarouses.
It was the Dutchman's ninth goal in what has become a superb debut season.
Leroy George to the rescue!
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) April 22, 2018
It's game on in Melbourne. #ALeagueFinals #MVCvADL
: LIVE on Fox Sports 501 and One. pic.twitter.com/xo25X1jRJ2
In stark contrast to the first half, the match become an end-to-end affair in the second as both teams threw caution to the wind in search of a winner.
With extra time looming, Berisha once again lived up to his billing as a man for the big occasion scoring a sensational cycle kick winner to send the home crowd into delirium.
BESART BERISHA! #MVCvADL 2-1 #ALeagueFinals @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/gg2gAx6vs7
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) April 22, 2018
It was the strikers 10th goal in 13 finals appearances and his 17th in total against the Reds.
Melbourne will face Sydney FC for a spot in the Grand Final next Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
Score: Melboune Victory: 2 (George 63', Berisha 89') Adelaide United: 1 (Mileusnic 57')
Bookings: Melbourne Victory: Berisha, Broxham, Valeri Adelaide United: Diawara, Garuccio
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