Melbourne Victory still remains on the cusp of a historical qualification for the knockout phase of the Asian Champions League ( ACL) despite its first loss in this year’s competition on Tuesday evening away to group leader Shanghai SIPG.

The Chinese team’s win guarantees it top spot in the group with one match to play, and leaves Victory and Suwon Bluewings on equal points vying for the second place qualifying spot. Victory needs to win its last group game at home to bottom placed J-League club Gamba Osaka on May 3 to secure safe passage to the knock-out phase, as it heads Bluewings in the placings by virtue of their superior performance in head to head meetings with the South Korean Bluewings.

In Shanghai on Tuesday night, defensive lapses after a strong opening cost Muscat’s men dearly allowing Shanghai’s Y Hai and Elkeson to score in rapid succession as half time approached. A 55th minute penalty awarded for a handball in the box, allowed SIPG playmaker Conca to put the home team firmly in control before Jessie Makarounas pulled a goal back for Victory in the 81st minute with a smart first time finish from a Jason Geria cut back.

Afterwards, Victory coach Kevin Muscat said, “We aren’t making any excuses. We performed well on the night and in particular the last two games have summed our season up. But we still have the opportunity to end it on a big high so we look forward to that. “Looking ahead to the final game against Gamba Osaka, Muscat said, “We will carefully consider what we do in the next 13-14 days in terms of our recovery and preparation. It’s a grand final for us and rather than look at the games in the group, they are gone, and we have to focus clearly on that game. It is in our hands.”

Meanwhile, the A-League’s other ACL representative, Sydney FC, played out a scoreless home draw against Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday, having already qualified for the knockout phase of the ACL the night before, when China’s Guangzhou Evergrande defeated South Koreans Pohang Steelers.

With one match to play, the Sky Blues remain on top of its group by two points and is assured of passage to the knockout phase. It will be playing to keep top spot and a more favourable draw.

Source: The Age; Fox Sports