Melbourne Victory has won the first trophy of its short history in comprehensive fashion after destroying Chinese Superleague side Changchun Yatai FC 6-1 in the final of the NQI North Queensland Trophy tonight.

Daniel Allsopp and Michael Ferrante were the heroes, with Allsopp bagging yet another pre-season hat-trick and Ferrante scoring a brace in the demolition of China’s second ranked side.

Dundee United triallist Grant Brebner also chimed in with a spectacular 28 yard free kick.

Coach Ernie Merrick praised the performance of his players after a gruelling 4 games in 8 days.

“This is exactly what we wanted,” Merrick said. “This has been a high quality tournament and our performances have been terrific.

“To win the final against such quality opposition is really pleasing and a great confidence boost for the players.”

The scoring started as early as the 17th minute, after Ferrante latched onto a great cross by Brazilian recruit Caludinho to head home the opener for Victory.

The classy midfielder added to the score after 27 minutes with a superb volley from outside the penalty area, which gave the Yatai goalkeeper no chance.

5 minutes later, it was time for some Brebner magic as Victory was awarded a free kick almost 30 yards from goal. The midfield triallist, fresh from his heroics against Central Coast in the first round of the tournament, slammed the ball home from distance to give Melbourne a 3-0 half time lead.

Not for the first time this pre-season, the second half became the Danny Allsopp show, with the burly forward running riot and scoring his hat trick in a devastating 25 minute period.

Good work from Ferrante in the 50th minute led to a cross which was well converted by Allsopp.

Brebner set Allsopp through on goal in the 65th minute and in the 74th minute Allsopp rounded the keeper for a simple tap in to complete the scoring for Melbourne for the night.

Yatai managed a consolation goal in the 79th minute through number 23 Zhang, but the damage had been done and Victory cruised to the final whistle and collected its first piece of silverware.

Merrick singled out Allsopp and Brebner for special praise after the match.

“I thought Daniel Allsopp and Grant Brebner were outstanding tonight, but it was a solid team performance right across the park.”

“I’m really impressed with the winning attitude of the players and the team spirit, which is something we’re looking to take into the new Hyundai A-League season.”

DETAILS
Melbourne Victory 6
(Ferrante 17,27 Brebner 33 Allsopp 50, 65, 74)
Changchun Yatai FC 1
(Zhang 79)

Victory starting lineup:
Theoklitos, Pantelidis, Leijer, Piorkowski, Byrnes, Lia (Storey 60), Brebner (Claeys 75), Fred (Sarkies 70), Ferrante, Claudinho, Allsopp.

I cant wait to see the Brazillians play... They sound asif they are going pretty well.

Allsopp scoring a hattrick, that's gotta be some kind of fecking joke.

pre season has been great for us.

cant wait for the season to kick off.

Not the first time either. Must be some pretty shit opposition because I dont ever see this guy doing that in the A-league.

"CHAMPIONS, CHAMPIONS" not the first time i will b singing that this year,

yer allsop got 8 goals in 4 games this pre-season, looking good.
its going well for us. GO VICTORY

teams coming along togeather

formation for the season will no dobut be 3-4-3

wheres Caceres?

Three words I never thought I'd see together in the same sentence I take it the chances of him making the move to Australia must be quite high now?

can u shead some more light on brebner?

Centeral midfielder who started life at Man United, spent some time on loan at Reading and Hibernian. Hibs signed him and he did alright there. Dundee United then signed him and he hasn't done as well as the fans had expected but over the past few years Dundee United has been a place where decent players turn bad. No matter who they signed and how much they paid they couldn't get a team that played well. All the pundits would say on paper Dundee Utd have a top half side but last season they just missed finishing 2nd bottom on goal difference. He did come out in the press a year or so ago about his gambling problems. Not sure if he has overcome that addiction.

I'm sure however a fresh start at a new club will help Brebner. He has agreed a release from his contract at Dundee United.