Muscat returns to lead Melbourne to first-leg win

The return of Melbourne's captain Kevin Muscat signalled the return of winning ways to the A-League's most successive side when they avenge their previous week's loss to the eventual Minor Premiership winners, Sydney FC who won direct entry to the Asian Champions League for the 2011 season, by winning 2-1 tonight.

There was no addition to the half-time lead that the Victory had established at the break, but there were plenty of near misses, and eventually also saw the dismissal of Nik Mrdja for an elbow to the face of Sydney FC player. He will not be available for the return leg due to the red card, awarded by the match official following the incident report by the assistant referee, and also captured on video.

Thus, despite the reduction to 10 players, the title-holders are once again had their strike power reduced, with injuries to both Robbie Kruse and Archie Thompson, although the latter hopes to be available the following weekend, when his hamstring injury is rested.

2010-11 Hyundi A-League [Play-off game A - 1st leg]

Melbourne Victory Nik Mrdja 16'; Carlos Hernandez 40' Crowd: 18,453. Ref: Mr Peter Green. HT: 2-1

2-1

Sydney FC John Eloisi 42' Played at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

Melbourne Victory: 1.Mitchell LANGERAK (GK), 2.Kevin MUSCAT (c), 5.Surat SUKHA (19. Evan BERGER 60'), 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 8.Grant BREBNER, 12.Rodrigo VARGAS, 15.Tom PONDELJAK (17.Matthew FOSCHINI 90'), 16.Carlos HERNANDEZ, 22.Nick WARD (11.Marvin ANGULO 84'), 23.Adrian LEIJER, 29.Nik MRDJA

Subs not used: 25.Aziz BEHICH, 20.Glen MOSS (RGK).
Yellow cards: Adrian LEIJER 46', Kevin MUSCAT 85'; Red cards: Nik MRDJA 74'

Sydney FC: 1.Clint BOLTON (GK), 3.Stephan KELLER, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 6.Karol KISEL, 7.Brendan GAN (16.Chris PAYNE 79'), 8.Stuart MUSIALIK, 9.John ALOISI (c), 12.Shannon COLE, 14.Alex BROSQUE, 15.Terry MCFLYNN (29. Iain RAMSAY 90'), 22.Sung-Hwan BYUN

Subs not used: 20.Ivan NECEVSKI (RGK), 26 Hayden FOXE, 13.Antony GOLEC
Yellow cards: Simon COLOSIMO 26', Alex BROSQUE 37', Stuart MUSIALIK 61', Brendan GAN 76'

FINAL SERIES DRAW:

Hyundai A-League 2010 Finals Series - Week 1:

Match A: 2 v 1 (Leg 1): Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC

Match B: 3 v 6: Saturday 20 February - Gold Coast United v Newcastle Jets - Skilled Park, kick off 7.00pm local (8.00pm AEDT)

Match C: 4 v 5: Sunday 21 February - Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory - Westpac Stadium, kick-off: 5.00pm local (3.00pm AEDT)

Hyundai A-League 2010 Finals Series - Week 2:

Match D: 1 v 2 (Leg 2): Sunday, 7 March - Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory - Sydney Football Stadium, kick-off: 5.00pm local