Melbourne Heart has survived a late scare to upend Brisbane Roar 3-2 in the Hyundai A-League at AAMI Park today.
The Heart have started the new year with back-to-back wins and it was so important for John Aloisi’s men after finishing 2012 at the foot of the ladder.
Such is the tightness of this year’s A-League, the Heart has moved out of the cellar and into the top-six, claiming six out of a possible six points at the turn of the calendar.
The Heart had to do it the hard way when striker David Williams was sent off in the 67th minute, but they were already three goals to the good after Williams, Josip Tadic and Fred had already found the back of the net.
The Roar did not die wondering, getting within touching distance after a double to star striker Besart Berisha, but the home side held on for dear life to reap the rewards of three points.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory returned to top form with a commanding 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix in the first of two games played at AAMI Park in the A-League this weekend.
The Victory, licking their wounds after a season ending knee injury to chief playmaker Gui Finkler, kept their minds on the job to claim a vital three points that moves them back into the top three.
Marcos Flores and Marco Rojas got on the scoresheet for the Victory last night.
There will be no A-League action in Melbourne next round.
The Victory will play its home game against Central Coast Mariners at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Saturday evening, while the Heart will be aiming for three wins in a row when it travels to the Harbour City to face Sydney FC on Sunday evening.
